Six learners have died and 16 are injured after a collision between a truck and bakkie in Ngqeleni near Buntingville on the T30 Road outside Mthatha this afternoon, June 14.
The drivers of the two vehicles also sustained injuries, bringing the total injured to 18. The deceased, from Ndamase Senior Secondary School, were between the ages of 14 and 17 years.
Department of Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said that at approximately 15:00, two vehicles, a rigid truck loaded with building materials that had given a lift to learners and a bakkie also transporting learners from the nearby Ndamase Senior Secondary School, collided.
“The two veered off the road after colliding and ploughed into the learners that were walking home on the side of the road. Six learners learners died on the scene, two males and four females,” he explained.
“Eighteen were injured, including both drivers and 16 learners ferried by both vehicles. The injured were taken to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha Regional Hospital for further medical management. The cause of the accident is still unknown at this stage,” Binqose added.
A culpable homicide docket has been opened at Ngqeleni SAPS for further investigation.
