Schoolchildren injured in John Ross highway crash

Eleven children, aged five to eight years, were injured when the minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck on the John Ross highway on Monday.

The taxi was travelling from eSikhaleni to Richards Bay when the crash occurred at the dangerous Eyamakhosi truck stop intersection.

ALSO READ: Horrific N2 crash claims 8 lives near Empangeni

KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulances spokesperson Craig Botha said four children suffered serious injuries while seven sustained minor injuries.

“When our paramedics arrived at the scene, they provided immediate medical attention to the children. All injured were stabilised at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Botha said.

In a separate incident, eight members of Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion – with headquarters in Hluhluwe – were killed in a horror crash on the N2 near the John Ross highway bridge on Sunday.

Reports indicate that 24 church members from Gobandlovu outside Esikhaleni were en route to Dukuduku near Mtubatuba when a large towing vehicle hit their light truck from behind.

The truck’s canopy flung off as a result of the impact, with the passengers thrown onto the highway.

The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlement MEC, Siboniso Duma, said, “My office is in touch with Reverend Simiso Mathe from the local branch, Intathakusa Church in Zion, based in Ward 3.

“The church is affiliated with Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion. Nine church members were treated and discharged on Sunday, and three are still in the hospital.”

He added that the tow truck driver was arrested, and a case of culpable homicide is being investigated by police.

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