STUDENTS KILLED IN GHASTLY ROAD ACCIDENT

STUDENTS KILLED IN GHASTLY ROAD ACCIDENT

Seven students have been confirmed dead, while the injured are still receiving treatment

At least  Seven students from the University of Witwatersrand were killed and six others were injured when the minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a trailer along the N1 south near Mokopane on Sunday night, Limpopo emergency medical services said.

Speaking to newsmen, Spokesperson Kagiso Mootane told reporters the Monday night crash occurred about 20 kilometres from the Nyl Toll Plaza a little after 23:00. She said the students were travelling back to Johannesburg from a Zion Christian Church (ZCC) pilgrimage they had attended in Moletjie, just outside Polokwane in South Africa.

According to News24, a truck had broken down along the highway earlier and part of trailer was still on the road. When the taxi carrying the students approached, the driver, who was allegedly driving at a high speed, did not see the trailer because there were no visible reflective signs warning him.

“He hit the trailer, lost control of the vehicle and then he hit some trees before the minibus caught fire,” Mootane said.

She added that eight people, including the driver, had been confirmed killed while the six injured were taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Some of the students were burnt beyond recognition.

The ill fated bus lying on its side after the crash

Wits Vice Chancellor Adam Habib, Dean of Students Pamela Dube as well as members of the Student Representative Council were in the province to assist with the process.