Twenty children had been killed and several other injured on 21 April 2017 when a taxi and truck collided head-on on the R25 between Verena and Bronkhorstpruit.
ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the fire services already in attendance. Fire services had already extinguished the burning vehicle, which was found lying on its side.
Paramedics assessed the scene and found that approximately 20 children had been inside the vehicle when it collided with the truck.
Once the flames had been extinguished, paramedics found that approximately 13 children lying trapped inside the vehicle. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the children and they were declared dead on the scene.
Several other children were found on the scene. It is believed that these children had been pulled out of the taxi by members of the community.
Paramedics assessed the children and found that seven children had sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical.
The children were treated for their injuries and provided with advanced life support interventions before they were transported to various hospitals in the area for further treatment.
The cause of the collision is not yet known but local authorities are on the scene for further investigations.
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