KWAZULU Private Ambulance paramedics had just 24 hours to recover from a horrific accident on Thursday morning in which three schoolchildren were killed before being called to another accident at the same spot.

“[Friday morning’s] incident occurred [at about 8am] while a TV news crew was filming the aftermath of a separate collision from the previous day. A taxi, carrying schoolchildren to their respective schools, inexplicably lost control. Thankfully, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported; paramedics rendered immediate medical attention to the patients. All three children sustained only minor injuries,” said KwaZulu Private Ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha.

Thursday morning’s accident occurred at about 7.30am on the T6 road in Imbali outside Pietermaritzburg when the driver of a taxi carrying children to school lost control, his minibus veered off the road and crashed into a nearby creche.

KwaZulu Private Ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha said when paramedics arrived at the scene, it was chaotic and deeply distressing.

“A crumpled taxi lay among the wreckage of the creche building. Children’s cries filled the air as paramedics worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured. The impact of the crash was devastating, with the youngest victims aged between nine and 11 years old, tragically losing their lives. The injured, all aged between nine and 15, sustained injuries ranging from critical to serious.

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“We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, and commend the bravery and professionalism of our paramedics who worked tirelessly under incredibly difficult circumstances.

“A full investigation into the cause of the accident is under way. Four patients sustained critical injuries and required life-saving intervention from advanced life support paramedics, a further five sustained serious injuries, and one sustained minor injuries,” said Botha.

All patients were stabilised on scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.

The scene from Thursday’s crash:

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