Four schoolchildren were killed and five others critically injured after a crash involving two vehicles outside Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, on Monday morning.

According to reports, the accident allegedly involved a multi-vehicle collision on the N12 westbound near the Putfontein Road off-ramp in Daveyton, claiming the lives of four learners.

One of the vehicles was a private scholar transport, carrying the learners to school at the time of the tragedy.

The entire freeway was closed to traffic as rescue teams were busy with the rescue and recovery of entrapped patients in vehicles.

City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi said the horrific crash occurred on the N12 westbound just before the Putfontein Road off-ramp, around 7.45 am.

“The incident was reported around 7.45 am, and swiftly, the teams responded for intervention,” Ntladi said. He confirmed that the victims were schoolchildren of different ages and schools coming from Daveyton.“The crash involved a double cab bakkie and a Toyota Yaris,” Ntladi said."The adult woman has been rescued from the wreck using hydraulic rescue equipment, known as the Jaws of Life.

"Ntladi reported that the woman is in stable condition and will be airlifted to the nearest medical facility. According to Ntladi, the entire freeway was closed to traffic as rescue teams were busy with the rescue and recovery of entrapped patients in vehiclesGauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, conveyed his condolences and confirmed the tragic accident, stating that the four learners were from Tom Newby Primary School, Rynfield Primary School, and an ECD centre yet to be identified.

Chiloane stated that the deceased included two brothers from Tom Newby Primary School in Benoni, one in Grade 1 and the other in Grade 3.

The victims also included a Grade 1 boy from Rynfield Primary School, also in Benoni, and a Grade R boy from an ECD centre, yet to be identified. He also said that a Grade 3 girl from Rynfield Primary School was in critical condition due to the accident and had been admitted to a local hospital for urgent medical care.

Chiloane added that the GDE Psycho-Social Support Unit had been deployed to Tom Newby and Rynfield Primary Schools to provide immediate counselling services to learners and educators.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these young learners whose lives were tragically cut short by this unfortunate incident. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, friends, and school communities during this painful period. The Department stands ready to provide the necessary support to all affected,” he said.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, also extended her deepest condolences to the families of the victims.“We are deeply saddened by this accident and convey our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

''As a Department, we continue to plead with drivers to be alert at all times, adhere to speed limits, exercise patience, ensure vehicles are roadworthy and, most importantly, make informed decisions that will save lives on our roads.”

Diale-Tlabela also emphasised that while drivers hold the greatest responsibility for decisions related to road use, passenger awareness and activism are equally important. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine its exact cause.

The Star and IOL News

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Gauteng Education officials mourn after fatal scholar transport crash claims four kids