16 Schoolchildren Injured As Scholar Transport Taxi Crashes In KZN

At least 16 schoolchildren were injured on Tuesday after a scholar transport taxi collided with a light motor vehicle in KwaZulu-Natal.

The crash occurred at the R617 Mphophomeni intersection. Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a multiple-vehicle collision.

Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Roberton confirmed that the taxi was transporting pupils home at the time of the accident.

“On arrival, it was established that a taxi transporting school children home was involved in a collision with a light motor vehicle. The youngest child involved in the accident was 3 years old.

“A total of 16 school children sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, while one occupant from the other vehicle also sustained injuries,” Roberton said.

Schoolchildren Treated Before Being Taken to Hospital

Roberton said paramedics assessed all injured patients at the scene.

“The patients received appropriate medical care on scene before being transported to various hospitals for further medical treatment.”

Authorities remained at the scene as investigations into the cause of the crash continued.

The latest incident marks the second scholar transport crash reported in KwaZulu-Natal in just over a week.

Earlier this week, at least 20 people — including children — were injured when a bus overturned on Annet Drive in Reservoir Hills, west of Durban.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed emergency teams were dispatched.

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“ALS Paramedics is currently on the scene of a bus that is overturned, coming to rest on its side, where multiple casualties, including multiple children on the way to school, have been injured. Approximately 15 to 20 people, including children, have been injured in this collision.”

Recent Deadly Crash Claimed 11 Lives

Last month, 11 people were killed in a separate crash on the R102 near Lotus Park in Isipingo, south of Durban.

Eight others sustained critical injuries and were transported to hospital.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Sibiniso Duma visited that scene and called for the taxi and truck drivers involved in the fatal crash to face multiple murder charges.

Investigations into the latest accident are ongoing.