A fatal accident has shaken a KwaZulu-Natal community after a minibus taxi crashed into a pre-school, killing three children and leaving 11 badly injured.
According to authorities in the province, a taxi carrying school children lost control and crashed into the Senzokuhle Crèche and Primary School in Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg, on Thursday morning.
The accident claimed the lives of children aged between nine and 11 years old.
The driver allegedly jumped out of the taxi shortly before it rolled into the school yard full of children. He survived the accident that occurred on the T6 road at Imbali Unit 18.
Authorities said 11 more pupils aged between nine and 15 sustained injuries, with two children reportedly in a very critical condition.
The accident unfolded in front of parents, community members and teachers who immediately rushed to the scene.
Luthando Msomi, a teacher at Senzokuhle Primary, arrived as the crash happened. “I just tried to help, and we began helping the kids. They were screaming for help,” Msomi said.
Families assembled outside the school while Forensic Pathology Services worked to identify the victims.
Themba Ndawonde, the uncle of one of the deceased children, expressed his pain. “I don’t know what happened. No one wants to explain anything to us. I was at home asleep, now my nephew is gone,“ he explained.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma expressed condolences and pledged utmost support for the affected families.
“Our hearts are with the parents of the affected children,” Duma said.
He added that he had dispatched a team from his office to visit the scene and provide assistance.
The KZN Department of Transport said it is investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the driver lost control, possibly due to mechanical failure.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Authorities are expected to provide further updates after consultations with the families and healthcare professionals.
