A tragic accident on the N12 near Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, claimed the lives of four schoolchildren and left five others critically injured on Monday morning.
Several schoolchildren killed in N12 Daveyton accident
The collision, which involved a Toyota Yaris and a double-cab bakkie, occurred just before the Putfontein Road off-ramp at approximately 07:45.
According to City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi, all the deceased and injured victims were schoolchildren from different schools in the East Rand area.
Emergency responders, including paramedics, law enforcement, and private medical services, arrived at the scene shortly after the accident was reported.
Rescuers found several victims trapped inside the wreckage, requiring the use of hydraulic rescue equipment, commonly referred to as the “Jaws of Life,” to extricate them.
Among those rescued was an adult woman who sustained serious injuries but remained in stable condition.
She was airlifted to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Authorities have since closed off the N12 in both directions to allow emergency teams to conduct their work.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes such as the Kingsway or Etwatwa off-ramps to ease congestion.
Ntladi also urged drivers to exercise caution, as onlookers slowing down to observe the accident scene were causing further traffic congestion, increasing the risk of additional collisions.
The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by law enforcement agencies.