Scholars

Several scholars were injured after an accident. Image: Reaction Unit South Africa Facebook page

Scholars abandoned by transport driver after accident

A scholar transport driver fled on foot, abandoning the scholars he was transporting after an accident in KwaZulu-Natal

Scholars

Several scholars were injured after an accident. Image: Reaction Unit South Africa Facebook page

A bakkie overturned on New Glasgow Road in Hazelmere Road, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning, 10 March, injuring twenty-two scholars who were being transported to school.

ALSO READ: Two learners killed when taxis and truck collide

Several scholars injured after accident

The public called Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a local security firm, for assistance from 07:27.

All available reaction officers & RUSA Medics were dispatched to the scene and discovered a white Kia bakkie lying on its roof on the side of the road.

It was established that the vehicle was transporting twenty-seven children to Redcliffe Primary School in Redcliffe, KwaZulu-Natal when the driver attempted to overtake a silver Chevrolet Cruze.

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To avoid colliding into an oncoming vehicle, the bakkie driver swerved back into his lane.

It crashed into the Chevrolet Cruze, causing the bakkie to overturn.

The injured students received treatment on the scene before being transported to the hospital by ambulance.

ALSO READ: Car CRASHES into ambulance attending to an accident

The driver ignored the injured children and fled the scene on foot.

What to do at an accident scene

With many accidents occurring on our roads, you might find yourself on the scene of one.

Here is what you can do:

  • The safety of accident victims, emergency personnel, and other road users is the most important goal when an accident occurs.
  • The first hour following an accident is known as the “Golden Hour,” and doctors say seriously injured car crash victims must receive comprehensive medical care within 60 minutes to have a good chance of survival. This scenario gives rescuers about 12 minutes at the accident scene to extricate the injured and get them to the hospital.
  • Consider the traffic flow at the scene. Is it a risk to you or others, including the casualty?
  • Consider the impact on emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene before stopping traffic.

ALSO READ: Eight injured after being CHASED by local taxi association

  • If anyone is available, send someone up and down the road to wave down traffic.
  • Turn on hazard lights and ignite flares if the incident happened at night to warn oncoming motorists of the danger.
  • Consider the positioning of any vehicles involved in the incident and the potential hazards they may pose (such as rolling forwards or backwards). Consider safety – constantly reassess the safety of the scene, especially if you rely on others to keep you safe.
  • Turn off all of the vehicles involved in the collision.

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