Cape Town – A child has died, and more than 20 other learners were injured in an accident after a scholar transport crashed into a bollard in front of Parliament in Plein Street this morning. It is reported that an overloaded minibus taxi carrying 22 school pupils, most of whom primary schools children, crashed into a bollard in front of Parliament after allegedly jumping a red robot, resulting in one fatality and injuries to several others.
City of Cape Town traffic spokesperson Richard Coleman said 22 high schoolchildren were injured, 11 of them seriously.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said central police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Traut said the minibus taxi, which was transporting 22 schoolchildren crashed into a bollard at the Parliament gate.
He said the driver and 12 schoolchildren were injured and admitted to hospital for treatment.
“A case of reckless and or negligent driving has been registered,” said Traut.
According to onlookers at the scene, the taxi driver had been speeding.
Parliamentary presiding officers, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Amos Masondo, have conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the school pupil who tragically died as a result of the taxi crash.
The presiding officers have expressed shock and sadness at this tragedy, and have called for a swift investigation into the accident by all the appropriate authorities.
“Our thoughts and prayers are also with the injured pupils for their speedy recovery. We call upon the traffic authorities to investigate the circumstances of the accident and leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety of our children,” they said.
