Bus crash kills 8 children

EIGHT schoolchildren died last night when the driver of the bus they were travelling in apparently lost control of it on the R66 between Ulundi and KwaCeza.

Provincial Department of Transport spokesman, Kwanele Ncalane, said a full investigation had been launched.

“The children had been on their way back from sporting games in Richards Bay when the accident happened. The eight children died on the scene and five are in critical condition in KwaCeza Hospital,” he said.

Ncalane said the children were pupils at Zamimpilo Special School.

“Close to 20 pupils sustained minor injuries,” he said.

He had no information regarding the condition of the bus driver.

“We are saddened that so many people had to lose their lives and we regard this as a tragedy especially taking into consideration that tomorrow (Thursday) we are going to a memorial service of six people who died in an accident last week in Melmoth,” he said.

Ncalane said this showed that the department should focus its attention on the Zululand area.

He said the department’s acting MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and Education MEC, Senzo Mchunu, would today visit the scene of the accident, Zamimpilo Special School and the surviving victims at KwaCeza Hospital.

Future

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal today conveyed its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of the pupils.

“The death of young people, who are the future of this country, is disturbing,” the statement read. “We call on all drivers to drive carefully and make sure their vehicles are in good condition.

“We hope the provincial Department of Transport and all relevant stakeholders will work together in investigating the cause of the accident.”