AN Umbilo school principal is concerned for the safety of his learners after several serious accidents have seen motorists drive through the boundary fence and crash into the hostel building where some of the learners and staff live. The wall of the hostel was damaged in the most recent accident on Wednesday, 7 April.
“Had the car landed slightly to the left, it would have gone through the window into the hostel,” said principal at Port Natal School, Neil Van Jaarsveld.
He thinks the motorist was speeding on ZK Matthews Road and lost control of their vehicle as they approached the traffic circle on the corner of Selborne Road and Sphiwe Zuma Avenue where the school property is situated.
Also read: Child (12) in critical condition after bicycle accident in Glenwood
“After the motorist drove through the fence, he must have gone airborne and hit the building. There is a big crack there. Luckily for us, the students are housed on the other side (of the building), but the hostel master stays in this flat and there is a laundry there as well,” he said.
“We have high school learners and some staff members living here,” he added.
This is not the first time a vehicle has landed in the school property or crashed into the fence, added Van Jaarsveld.
“Accidents like this are frequent. Motorists come down Selborne Road toward the traffic circle. They come too quickly and they don’t turn in time,” he said.
While damage to the building is not the biggest concern for Van Jaarsveld, he said the school has repaired the fence several times after accidents left the property vulnerable to intruders.
Also read: Six school children injured in Umbilo car accident
“Our groundsman repaired the fence quickly to ensure no vagrants enter the yard,” he said.
Since the area is a hotspot for accidents, Van Jaarsveld said tow trucks often park on Siphiwe Zuma Avenue. He said damaged vehicles are often removed before the school can report the matter and open a case at the SAPS.
“The most recent accident was an early morning accident, so we were able to report it,” said Van Jaarsveld.
The Umbilo SAPS did not end their comment at the time this article was published.
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