By REGINALD KANYANE
10 September 2024- More than 15 learners were ferried to the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg on Friday. This comes after their scholar transport bus was involved in an accident in Liliefontein, near Vryburg.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said according to the reports, the accident occurred late on Friday, when a tyre on the bus burst. Motsumi said at the time of the incident, there were 18 learners on board and some had already disembarked at their homes.
“Fifteen learners received trauma counseling at the local hospital. It was revealed that four individuals sustained serious injuries, including fractured legs and arms. The driver has also sustained serious injuries.
“As a result of the severity of their injuries, three learners are currently hospitalized at Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg. We express profound shock upon learning about the accident,” she said.
Motsumi further said they urge all scholar transport operators to drive with extreme caution as scholar transport accidents continue to rise. She added that operators need to ensure that their buses are roadworthy, adhere to speed limits, and carry a limited number of passengers to prevent accidents.
“As part of the department’s ongoing commitment to providing support to those affected, the psychosocial team will continue to offer counseling sessions to the learners.
“Continuous care and assistance during this critical time are essential,” said Motsumi.
The Guardian 