Pupil remains critical after car hits him

In a heartbreaking tragedy, an 11-year-old boy from Halfway House Primary School was hit by a car near the school on the corner of Norfolk and Van Heerden roads in Midrand on 4 August.

Ria Sebetsa Security Services’ chief executive officer, Danny Maduray, said an employee of the security company who was on routine patrol saw the boy lying on the side of the road.

At the time of the accident the pupil who was hit by the car was with his older sister, who attends another school in the area.

Maduray explained, “One of our security officers, Sebenzile Honono, noticed a boy lying on the side of the road. Thinking he was hurt, he went to him only to find out that the girl’s brother had just been hit by a car. Witnesses calmed her down while emergency services were contacted.”

Netcare 911’s Chris Botha confirmed the incident and said, “The child was critically injured and was placed on a ventilator and airlifted to a hospital using a helicopter.”

Speaking on behalf of Halfway House Primary School, the Gauteng Department of Education said it was aware of the incident involving the pupil. The department’s spokesperson, Oupa Bodibe said, “The Grade 5 pupil was reportedly hit by a car on his way home as he lives close to the school, and he is reported to be in a critical condition at a hospital.”

“We have requested the school to ensure that scholar patrol teams are intensified and all pupils abide by the road safety rules outside the school. The school has also requested Outsurance pointsmen to assist at the nearby intersection.”

It is not clear if the driver of the vehicle was on the scene when the child was being attended to.

Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar confirmed that they responded to the accident scene. “Metro police have an accident report which will soon be given to Midrand Police Station where it will be investigated. In a case where the victim is seriously injured, a charge of reckless driving gets investigated.”