Kids hurt in bus crashes
MORE than 100 schoolchildren were injured in two separate bus crashes in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday, while another 60 children were uninjured in a third school bus crash in Potchefstroom.
At about midday yesterday, 61 pupils were injured after a bus overturned on the R603 near Adams Mission. Yesterday evening another 52 children and eight adults, including two who sustained serious injuries, were transported to hospital from a second crash near eManzimtoti.
Reports from the first scene indicate the children sustained moderate to minor injuries. Paramedics from various rescue services worked side by side to stabilise the injured children who were transported to various hospitals for further medical care.
In the second crash on the N2 northbound in eManzimtoti yesterday evening, 25 ambulances, 10 rapid response vehicles and at least 60 medics assisted on the scene to stabilise and transport the injured to various hospitals in the area.
The fire department and rescue services had to use specialised equipment to lift the bus to ensure no one was trapped under the wreckage.
Paramedics found most of the injured children outside the bus. It is believed they helped each other out of the overturned wreckage.
“It appears the majority of the children, believed to be between 7 and 14 years old, sustained minor to moderate injuries. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported,” said ER24 spokesman, Werner Vermaak. “The cause of both incidents is unknown.”
In Potchefstroom, North West, a bus driver claimed his brakes failed, causing him to lose control and crash into a sign board. The bus was carrying 60 primary school children but neither they nor the driver sustained any injuries. – ER24, Netcare