Pretoria – 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.
Tshwane Metro Police Department spokesperson Console Tleane said the accident happened before 7am today 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.
“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,” said Tleane.
The driver and one learner died on the spot. Thirteen school children sustained critical injuries, while five are in a serious condition.
The injured were transported to various hospitals in the city. One learner was airlifted to the hospital.
Tleane said the exact cause of the accident will be investigated. – SAnews.gov.za
