Matric learner dies following runaway bus incident at Hartbeespoort school

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is mourning the tragic death of a Grade 12 girl learner, who succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, following a chaotic incident involving a scholar bus at Schaumburg Combined School in Hartbeespoort last week Thursday.

According to reports, the turmoil began when four boys allegedly trespassed onto the school grounds through a rear fence, initiating a physical altercation with Grade 12 learners who were leaving after their examination.

The disturbance quickly escalated, drawing in younger students and igniting a larger commotion. As educators worked to restore order, they directed the learners owards the waiting buses, hoping to diffuse the situation.

However, the atmosphere deteriorated further when some learners allegedly attempted to commandeer the buses, leading one bus driver, fearing for his safety, to flee the scene. In this unfortunate act, the bus struck three Grade 12 learners and a Grade 10 learner, sparking immediate emergency response.

The injured students were transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. Tragically, of the three Grade 12 learners admitted, one girl was later transferred to a facility in Ga-Rankuwa, where she ultimately lost her life to her injuries, leaving a somber shadow over the school community.

District officials along with psychosocial support teams will be dispatched to Schaumburg Combined School to provide much-needed counselling and support to students, staff, and the families affected by this horrific event.

The GDE has vowed to collaborate closely with law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Expressing their deep sorrow, MEC for Education, Jason Chiloane stated, “The Department conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, classmates, and the entire school community for their loss. It is saddening that such a chaotic outburst led to the unfortunate passing of a learner who had completed her exams. We condemn the unscrupulous individuals who instigated this unfortunate event.”

IOL