Seven people have been killed in two separate accidents on the N2 this week.
Four schoolchildren died after the minibus taxi in which they were travelling from Izingolweni to various schools in Port Shepstone was involved in a collision with a truck near the Sithole bus stop at Murchison on Tuesday.
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The driver of the taxi, Buhle Nxumalo (43) was declared dead at the scene and 14 school pupils, aged between six and 17 years, were transported to various hospitals.
Four were in critical condition, while eight were seriously injured and two suffered minor injuries.
The critically injured children later died.
Two of the children have been identified as Khethukuthula Mjweni (7), a grade 1 pupil at Jai Hind Primary, and Minenhle Nzama (17) a grade 10 pupil at Merlewood Secondary.
At the time of going to press the other two pupils had not been named.
The pupils attended Merlewood Secondary, Marburg Primary, Marburg Secondary, RA Engar Primary, Jai Hind Primary, Port Shepstone Primary, Port Shepstone Secondary and Port Shepstone Senior Primary.
Girlie Mzotho is thankful that her child is alive, albeit in ICU.
“It’s only God who saved my child and I thank Him for that.”
Police are investigating the cause of the accident, and are appealing for witnesses to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Stefan Weber at 079 5001409 or 039 6881053.
District director for the Department of Education for Ugu District, Mfundi Sibiya yesterday (Wednesday) expressed the department’s condolences to the families of the victims.
“Owners and operators of companies transporting pupils are urged to exercise extreme care and caution by observing the rules of the road,” he said.
Mr Sibiya added that trauma counsellors had already been deployed to the affected schools.
In a separate incident on Monday this week, two people were killed on the N2 near Harding when a bakkie and a taxi collided.
“Twelve people suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital,” said Glen Preston of Med-Evac Ambulance Services.
Harding police are investigating the cause of the accident.
Drivers are warned to adhere to safe following distances at all times.
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