Five school children were killed and 11 others injured in a crash between a freight train and a bus in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday.
Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison said in a statement that the five learners had been killed when the bus in which they were travelling collided with the train at a level crossing on the R104 Road near Mafube Village, between Wonderfontein and Arnot in the afternoon.
Five learners died at the scene and the train and bus drivers were also injured in the crash. The bus was carrying about 30 learners from Morneg School.
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) said in a statement that an investigation would be undertaken to determine the cause of the accident.
“TFR reports with regret that a serious safety incident involving a train and a scholar transport bus occurred at the Arnot level crossing in Middelburg, Mpumalanga,” the rail operator said.
“TFR wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and a speedy recovery to the injured. Rescue and recovery operations are still under way. An investigation will be undertaken to determine the cause of the accident.”
