N2 Pongola horror crash: At least 19 learners confirmed dead

At least 17 learners and 2 adults have died in a horror crash that involved a van and a truck on the N2 in the Pongola area of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sep 17, 2022 - 00:40
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N2 Pongola horror crash: At least 19 learners confirmed dead

At least 19 learners and 2 adults have been killed in a horror crash between a truck and van that was transporting learners on the N2 highway in the Pongola area in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The accident happened on Friday, 16 September and initially, 10 learners were reported dead, the number then increased to 16 and one child who was fighting for his life in hospital after suffering critical injuries also succumbed to them taking the death toll to 17. 

21 DEAD IN N2 PONGOLA CRASH 

Of the 19 lives that were claimed by the horror crash, 17 are of children aged between 5 and 12 years. 

Dash cam footage shows the speeding truck driver attempting to overtake another truck when he crashed on to the bakkie that was transporting school pupils.

According to reports, the driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene and is responsible for the accident (even though authorities have not confirmed as yet). The driver reportedly got off his truck and hiked for a lift from another truck that passed by and ran away. 

Pongola N2 crash
The scene of the crash that claimed the lives of 19 children. Image via Facebook.

The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed that there has been a horrific accident involving 2 or  more schools in the area of Pongola on the N2. 

“Initial reports indicate that 11 children are confirmed dead by emergency services and that they all met their demise at the scene of the accident. 

“We will rely on the police and emergency services to continue giving us updates as they discover more information.”

KZN Education

Education MEC Mbali Frazer has on behalf of the entire education fraternity sent condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, reportedly. 

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