21 pupils injured in two KZN school transport crashes

School

Durban – A total of 21 schoolchildren were injured in two separate transport accidents in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday morning, placing emergency services under pressure as crews responded to incidents in Newcastle and Pietermaritzburg.

According to KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service, the incidents occurred between 07:30 and 08:00 and involved a bus crash in Newcastle and a minibus taxi overturning in Pietermaritzburg. The injured pupils were aged between 10 and 16.

In the first incident, a bus carrying about 30 passengers lost control on the P483 near the Karbochem turn-off in Newcastle, veering off the road and plunging into a ditch.

Emergency teams treated 10 pupils, including three who sustained serious injuries such as suspected spinal trauma and fractures. Seven others suffered minor injuries.

“Three students sustained serious injuries, including suspected spinal trauma and multiple fractures, requiring medical intervention. An additional seven patients were treated for minor injuries, ranging from soft tissue trauma to deep lacerations,” Arrive Alive reported.

Traffic on the route was severely disrupted for more than an hour as emergency personnel worked to stabilise the scene and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Shortly afterwards, paramedics were dispatched to Khan Road in Pietermaritzburg, where a minibus taxi transporting learners lost control, crashed into a boundary wall and overturned.

One pupil sustained serious injuries, while 10 others were treated for minor injuries and shock. All patients were stabilised at the scene before being taken to medical facilities.

Emergency services, including fire and police, secured both scenes and assisted with rescue and traffic management.

Authorities have launched investigations into the causes of both crashes. Despite the severity of the incidents, no fatalities were reported.

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