On Tuesday morning, a tragic accident occurred on AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain, resulting in five schoolchildren’s deaths and one critically injured. The driver of a Toyota Hilux carrying six learners is believed to have lost control of the vehicle, causing the canopy to shatter. Five learners died on impact, while one high school student was airlifted to the hospital for treatment.
According to ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring, the learners between the ages of 13 and 16 were found scattered a distance away from the bakkie.
“[On Tuesday] morning, five children were killed and another critically injured when the bakkie they travelled in rolled multiple times on A Z Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain.
“ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene at 8h07am, finding the Western Cape Metro and City of Cape Town Fire already in attendance, says Meiring.
“On closer inspection, medics found a bakkie upright in the middle of the road. Several children, believed to be aged between 13 and 16 (years old), were seen scattered some distance away from the bakkie.
“Medics assessed the children and found that five had already succumbed to their numerous injuries while a sixth was in critical condition with numerous injuries.
“Paramedics treated the critical patient and provided him with numerous advanced life support interventions before he was transported to a nearby hospital for urgent care,” he says..
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring has stated that the exact details surrounding the tragic accident on AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain are currently unknown. When the Daily Voice arrived at the scene, the busy road was still cordoned off, and the children’s small school shoes, lunch boxes, and books could be seen scattered on the road.
A source at the scene reported that principals from nearby schools were called to help identify the children based on their school books and uniforms. The schools that were identified include Lentegeur High, Harvester Primary, Ridgeville Primary, Highlands Primary, Duneside Primary, and Wespoort Primary.
Mitchells Plain Ward Councillor Ashley Potts expressed his sadness over the incident, stating it was a “very sad and dark day for Mitchells Plain.” He said, “Five children’s futures were taken away. Six families’ lives were wrecked. It’s just really sad.” Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a culpable homicide case had been registered for investigation by Mitchell’s Plain police following the fatal crash. He added that “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”