A taxi transporting school children to schools in Mbali, in Pietermaritzburg, crashed into a creche, claiming the lives of three learners. The accident occurred around 7:30 am on August 11.
The taxi veered off the road, ploughed through a fence, and plunged into the creche. The driver claimed that the brakes in his taxi were not functioning, leading to the accident.
Earlier reports confirm the three learners who died in the crash were aged between 9 and 11 years old and were passengers in the taxi. Eleven other children were injured.
It was reported that the little children who attended the creche were outside the building when the taxi crashed, and were not harmed physically.
MEC confirms an investigation into school children’s death
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma said: “Apparently, a driver transporting children lost control of his minibus taxi and plunged into a creche in Mbali township.”
Duma said a team from his office visited the accident site and the families whose children were affected by the accident. He further stated that an investigation into the accident will be conducted.
The KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulance Services (KZNPAS), which responded to the accident alert, described the accident scene as “chaotic and deeply disturbing”.
“A crumpled taxi lay amidst 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 eleven years old tragically losing their lives,” stated KZNPAS in a statement.
According to KZNPAS, 11 other learners were injured. They are between nine and fifteen years old, and sustained injuries ranging from serious to critical. They were transported to nearby hospitals.
The taxi driver sustained minor injuries.
The KZNPAS conveyed their deepest condolences to the family and friends whose loved ones lost their lives in the tragic accident.
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