Seven school children among eight dead in KZN taxi crash

At least eight people including seven high school pupils have been killed in a head-on collision between a taxi and a truck on the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The truck driver was found to be in a critical condition.

Paramedics said the accident happened in Mandini early on Friday morning.

Accident

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said the crash involved a truck and taxi carrying school children on the N2.

“Medics were greeted by a horrific scene once it was realized the light motor vehicle was carrying school children. Sadly, all eight occupants of the light motor vehicle sustained fatal injuries, including seven high school children.

“The driver of the truck was found to be in a critical condition and was stabilized on scene before being transported to nearby facility for further care,” Meyrick said.

Condolences

KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma is expected to visit the scene of the accident.

Duma conveyed his condolences to the families and relatives of the vitcims.

“At this stage, our officers have reported that the driver of a 7-seater light motor vehicle lost control of his car. The car went over to the other lane and collided with a truck, causing it to veer off the road and overturn.

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“What saddens us is that the victims of the road accident include young people with a brighter future,” Duma said.

Clean-up

Meanwhile, Meyrick said rural metro is busy cleaning the road.

“We are waiting for the second mutuary van to load the other 4 bodies. RTI estimating road to be open in the next hour,” Meyrick said

This is a developing story, please refresh for further updates

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