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11 October 2024
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42 Carletonville pupils taken to hospital after scholar transport crash
A total of 42 pupils from Relebogile Secondary School in Carletonville were transported to hospital after they were involved in a scholar transport accident on Monday, 7 October 2024. The driver tried to swerve the bus but lost control and it overturned. Fearing that the bus would catch fire, volunteers pulled the kids out. The traumatised pupils were screaming, with others crying.
In a video that has gone viral, the volunteers are heard telling the traumatised pupils to quickly get out.
According to the district manager of Gauteng Emergency Services in the West Rand, Jurgens Bence, nine government ambulances from Khutsong, Carletonville, Wedela, Fochville and Westonaria transported a total of 42 injured learners to Carletonville Hospital.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said six of the pupils sustained various injuries while two suffered fractures. The bus driver was not injured. He added the department was monitoring the affected pupils' conditions and would provide further updates on their recovery.
"We are deeply concerned about the well-being of the affected learners, and we will ensure they receive the necessary medical care. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this challenging time and we wish learners a speedy recovery," Chiloane added.
Parents are now worried about the rate at which scholar transport accidents are happening.
This accident comes less than three months after 12 pupils from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville burnt to death along with their driver when their scholar transport was hit from behind by a bakkie.
“In July 2024, the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, acknowledged the fundamental flaws in the scholar transport policy and committed to overhauling it. While the DA was encouraged by this move, this incident highlights that there has been no follow-through on this commitment. The MEC announced that he will be initiating discussions on enhancing scholar transportation safety. However, three months have passed without any update on the policy review,” says Dos Santos.
“Currently, learners in Gauteng can be transported to a maximum distance of 15 km one-way, totalling 30 km per day, while some operators service routes significantly shorter than this. The lack of nearby schools necessitates longer travel for many learners, highlighting the urgent need for completing school projects and establishing new schools closer to communities in need,” he added.
Sources: News 24, The Citizen
In a video that has gone viral, the volunteers are heard telling the traumatised pupils to quickly get out.
According to the district manager of Gauteng Emergency Services in the West Rand, Jurgens Bence, nine government ambulances from Khutsong, Carletonville, Wedela, Fochville and Westonaria transported a total of 42 injured learners to Carletonville Hospital.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said six of the pupils sustained various injuries while two suffered fractures. The bus driver was not injured. He added the department was monitoring the affected pupils' conditions and would provide further updates on their recovery.
"We are deeply concerned about the well-being of the affected learners, and we will ensure they receive the necessary medical care. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this challenging time and we wish learners a speedy recovery," Chiloane added.
Parents are now worried about the rate at which scholar transport accidents are happening.
This accident comes less than three months after 12 pupils from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville burnt to death along with their driver when their scholar transport was hit from behind by a bakkie.
“In July 2024, the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, acknowledged the fundamental flaws in the scholar transport policy and committed to overhauling it. While the DA was encouraged by this move, this incident highlights that there has been no follow-through on this commitment. The MEC announced that he will be initiating discussions on enhancing scholar transportation safety. However, three months have passed without any update on the policy review,” says Dos Santos.
“Currently, learners in Gauteng can be transported to a maximum distance of 15 km one-way, totalling 30 km per day, while some operators service routes significantly shorter than this. The lack of nearby schools necessitates longer travel for many learners, highlighting the urgent need for completing school projects and establishing new schools closer to communities in need,” he added.
Sources: News 24, The Citizen