Tlholohelo Mosala
Twelve learners were reported dead on Wednesday morning in Carletonville after a tragic car crash involving a scholar transport.
The Department of Education issued a statement confirming the incident which took place in the Kokosi-Wedela area in Merafong and confirmed that twelve learners lost their lives along with their driver.
The report said eleven of the learners who died were from Rocklands Primary school and one learner was from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville.
Additionally, other seven learners who were part of the accident were rushed to a hospital to receive urgent medical care
According to the Department at around 06:45 in the morning a bakkie hit the scholar transport from behind causing it to overturn and subsequently catch fire.
The Department of Education has dispatched the psycho-social support team to the affected schools and families. Counselling will also be offered to all learners and staff members.
“I am profoundly saddened by this tragic event. The loss of our children is a devastating blow to our community and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured learners,” said Gauteng MEC for Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Matome Chiloane
Chiloane visited the accident scene and went to both schools where he urged parents to ensure that private scholar transports are in good condition.
“What I always urge parents (to do) is that you must look at the condition of the vehicle that is taking your children, the number of kids that are taken into this particular private transport, I have stopped one in an area of Motsweding, it had about 45 kids”.
INSIDE EDUCATION
