Pretoria - The death toll from this morning’s fatal crash on the R101 in Tshwane has risen to three, the Tshwane Metro Police Department says.
“A second learner from the accident that happened in the morning on the R101 in Tshwane, where two people died – the driver and a learner - has since passed away in hospital. This now brings the death toll to three,” spokesperson Console Tleane said.
Earlier in the morning, it was reported that two people died and 18 others sustained injuries when a minibus transporting school children overturned next to a bridge on the R101, near Pyramid, in Pretoria.
The accident happened before 7am when a learner transport minibus travelling from Hammanskraal overturned next to a bridge. The minibus was transporting learners to three schools in the city centre.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
"We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish those injured a speedy recovery. One death is one too many and we cannot emphasize enough the importance of exercising caution on the roads.
“Our appeal is that all motorists exercise greater care on our roads and respect the rights and lives of others, particularly school children," MEC Vadi said.
While investigations will reveal the exact cause of the accident, preliminary observations suggest that the minibus tried to overtake the car - or cars - in front of it. Upon realising that there is fast oncoming traffic, the driver veered off the road to the extreme right and the vehicle hit two poles next to a bridge and overturned.
MEC Vadi said the number of road accidents was worrying, especially those involving children.
“The increasing number of crashes is a serious concern and urgent intervention is needed. On Monday another accident involving school children was reported when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck in Alberton. This is totally unacceptable,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
