5 children killed in Rietvlei crash
The tragedy unfolded on the D532 road near Elsmore Farm in the Rietvlei area when, according to bystanders’ reports, a bakkie with 29 school children, veered off the road and crashed into a farm dam
Horror unfolded on Monday morning when a trip to school turned fatal for five children.
The tragedy unfolded on the D532 road near Elsmore Farm in the Rietvlei area when, according to bystanders’ reports, a bakkie with 29 school children, veered off the road and crashed into a farm dam.
When KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on the scene 24 children had escaped the icy waters and the bakkie was submerged in the dam.
Police divers were called to the scene and their search heralded tragic news; the bodies of four children were discovered.
The search for a fifth child resumed and a police dog and heavy machinery were used.
The dam wall was breached and the water drained and by this time, the canopy and bakkie had separated.
KZN EMS spokesperson Robert Mckenzie who was on scene explained: “Most of the dam, which the bakkie crashed into, has been drained, however the dam, which was used as a sludge dam, has a thick mud sediment, which the bakkie is now lodged in. Initial attempts to have a TLB lift the bakkie failed.
The TLB is now being used to scoop the mud away from the bakkie and a high pressure water hose is being used to loosen the mud’s suction effect, to try free the bakkie out of the mud.”
After hours of searching the body of a fifth child was recovered after 4pm on Monday afternoon.
“It is truly a sad day,” commented Mr Mckenzie.
The 24-year-old driver who was unhurt was arrested by Rietvlei police and has been charged with murder, attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving and detectives will look at the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni urged detectives to ensure that the case is thoroughly investigated so that the accused can be called to account for his callous actions.
“Members from our Accident Investigation Unit will be assisting detectives in reconstructing the scene as well as ensuring that the vehicle is tested for any defects.
We will do everything that is within our control to ensure that the driver is brought to book,” she said.
