The provincial department of transport is investigating the cause of a horrific accident that claimed lives of four pupils this morning.
Spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said according to the information they had received from the driver of the bus, its brakes failed.
“We have sent accident experts on the scene to investigate further. We cannot just rely on the information from the driver, we had to do our own investigation,” she said.
The bus was ferrying more than 50 pupils from Lwandile and Mngcibe villages to Ntshilini Senior Secondary School when the driver allegedly lost control.
One pupil died on the scene and three more died at Canzibe Hospital where they were rushed.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said four pupils were airlifted to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha in a critical condition.
“The three that has died was among those rushed to Canzibe Hospital,” he said.
Kupelo said others remain in critical condition in hospital and were receiving medical attention.
School principal Ntsikelelo Mlisa said pupils jumped out of the moving bus when they noticed that it had lost control.
“When we arrived on the scene, they were scattered all over and community members took them to hospital while waiting for emergency personnel. It was a very scary thing to see. Parents were crying uncontrollably,” he said.
Department of education’s superintendent-general Themba Kojana said the department would despatch a team of psychologists to help counsel the learners while a team is enroute to visit and inform all parents of the deceased pupils.
"Our prayers are with the families who lost their children during this accident. We hope they find solace in the Lord, God in this difficult time of their lives," said Kojana.
He said the department would further engage the Department of Transport on the roadworthiness of the bus.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said they were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
UPDATE: 'Brakes failure' caused accident that killed four pupils
Spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said according to the information they had received from the driver of the bus, its brakes failed.
“We have sent accident experts on the scene to investigate further. We cannot just rely on the information from the driver, we had to do our own investigation,” she said.
The bus was ferrying more than 50 pupils from Lwandile and Mngcibe villages to Ntshilini Senior Secondary School when the driver allegedly lost control.
One pupil died on the scene and three more died at Canzibe Hospital where they were rushed.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said four pupils were airlifted to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha in a critical condition.
“The three that has died was among those rushed to Canzibe Hospital,” he said.
Kupelo said others remain in critical condition in hospital and were receiving medical attention.
School principal Ntsikelelo Mlisa said pupils jumped out of the moving bus when they noticed that it had lost control.
“When we arrived on the scene, they were scattered all over and community members took them to hospital while waiting for emergency personnel. It was a very scary thing to see. Parents were crying uncontrollably,” he said.
Department of education’s superintendent-general Themba Kojana said the department would despatch a team of psychologists to help counsel the learners while a team is enroute to visit and inform all parents of the deceased pupils.
"Our prayers are with the families who lost their children during this accident. We hope they find solace in the Lord, God in this difficult time of their lives," said Kojana.
He said the department would further engage the Department of Transport on the roadworthiness of the bus.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said they were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
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