School bus overturns in Bathurst
A busload of school children had a lucky escape on Saturday, September 3 after their vehicle failed to stop on the steep descent to Bathurst’s four-way stop and it overturned on to a grassy area opposite. Fifteen were taken to hospital and all were discharged later that day. There were no serious injuries.
Port Alfred Primary School principal, Mark Bouah, said the bus was carrying 43 learners from the school who were coming from a rugby and netball tournament against St Mary's RC Primary School in Makhanda. He said he was grateful to the Bathurst community, particularly the owners and staff of the Pig and Whistle, who rallied to help and comfort the traumatised children.
“We want to thank the people of Pig and Whistle that came out to help and phoned the ambulance,” said Bouah. After being informed about the accident, I went to the hospital immediately and when I got there 15 learners were receiving medical attention,”he said.
Bouah said the learners were discharged after they were assessed by a doctor that night. The school had contacted the department of social development to deploy social workers to counsel learners who were left traumatised from the accident.
Bathurst residents rushed to the children’s assistance. Zee Gericke, who works at the Bathurst Arms, did not think twice as she comforted the terrified children.
“I want my mommy,” was all one little boy who had just survived the frightening accident could say as she held him on her lap.
Gericke ran outside when she heard a loud crash and then screaming at about 3pm on Saturday.
“The community pulled together to help,” she said. “[Pig & Whistle owners] Gavin and
Lucille really took charge of the situation and made sure everyone was OK.”
Gericke and others comforted the children and the teachers with them while they waited for ambulances.
Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer MajolaNkohli confirmed that Bathurst police attended to a complaint of a bus accident on Saturday afternoon.
“On Saturday, 3 September at about 3pm, police were summoned to a complaint of a bus accident at Trappes Street, Bathurst. It is said that the bus’s brakes failed and it veered off the road and landed on its side,” he said.
Warrant Officer Nkohli confirmed that eight children aged between the ages of 9 and 11 sustained slight injuries in the accident. He said that one adult male aged 52 was also treated for slight injuries at the nearest hospital and an accident report was completed.
Additional reporting by Sue Maclennan