By OBAKENG MAJE
The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour into the families of five learners, who were killed by a truck at Vyfhoek Primary School near Potchefstroom on Thursday.
It is alleged that the driver of a heavy truck traveling on the N12 road, lost control and ploughed through the school fence, and hit 11 learners. Five of the learners were killed instantly, while the other six sustained injuries.
They were ferried to the hospital for medical attention.
The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards, extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“The incident occurred while the department of health was unveiling new ambulances allocated in the province. Due to the number of patients involved, The MEC for health, Madoda Sambatha immediately dispatched new ambulances to attend to the multi-casualty incident together with local emergency services.
“The committee extends its gratitude to all the private emergency medical and rescue services, who together with the provincial EMRS responded to the multi-casualty incident,” he said.
Edwards further said all services worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured learners, who were transported to the Potchefstroom Hospital. He said, they will request a report on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, once the authorities have concluded their investigation.
“As the committee, we join the families in mourning the loss of young lives in the province, while wishing the injured learners a speedy recovery,” said Edwards.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said this is a tragedy because these children could have been future leaders. Lehari said as a government, they are deeply devastated to hear of the loss.
“We will continue to offer a message of condolences to the bereaved families. We pray that they find comfort in this dark time and that they accept our sincere condolences.
“We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured. A case of culpable homicide is currently under investigation,” he said.
The Guardian 