By Anita Dangazele
Two pupils and a driver died following a horror crash between a scholar transport vehicle and a freight train in Addo, in the Eastern Cape.
The driver of the scholar transport vehicle was crossing the railway line near Nomathamsanqa informal settlement when the train, carrying manganese, collided with it.
This very busy and dangerous crossing is the only legal entry to Nomathamsanqa settlement.
Twelve Samkelwe Secondary School pupils from Addo were in the vehicle at the time.
The driver died on the scene, while three boys aged from 15 to 18 suffered serious injuries.
A 15-year-old who was airlifted to Livingstone died shortly after arrival.
One of the other seriously injured boys was later transferred to Livingstone by ambulance, while the others injured in the crash were transferred to Uitenhage Hospital and the Sundays River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Five pupils are being treated for their injuries at Livingstone Hospital and a second pupil has since died.
Acting head of the provincial education department, Sharon Maasdorp, said, “This is not what we want to see. Drivers must be mindful and vigilant when transporting our children. They must put the lives of our learners first.”
One of the mothers at the hospital, Thomzama Pokbaas, 39, said her son, Lutholwethu, 17, had suffered serious injuries to his head and upper body during Thursday’s crash.
“He is in a lot of pain and has a lot of bruising. “My heart is broken,” Pokbaas said.
This tragic accident adds to the current scholar transport crisis in the province.
Pictured: The scene of the horror crash between a minibus taxi and a freight train.
Image Source: Supplied
