Driver arrested after Mpumalanga crash kills six pupils

The driver of a scholar transport bus which collided with a train killing six learners and injuring 19 others on the R104 between Arnot and Wonderfontein in Mpumalanga has been arrested.

Authorities have refuted earlier reports that the driver of the bus fled the scene. He is still in hospital receiving treatment.

The forensic team is at the scene trying to investigate what happened. Some pupils are in ICU in a critical state.

The number of fatalities is expected to increase.

Devastated parents have reiterated their call for the Department of Education to build them a school in their village.

The parents are at the accident scene collecting their children’s belongings.

They say their children have to travel far daily for school.

One parent says, “We are not safe but now they relocated us in this place, but they did not build us a school so that our children cannot cross the rail line.”

Another parent says, “I think it was reckless driving because I think the railway has right of way, ’cause here there is a stop sign  and I think when the trains come they hoot the bell.”

Government officials including the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and the provincial Education and Community Safety and Security Liaison MEC have converged at the school to engage with school management and are later expected to visit the scene of the crash.

VIDEO | Government officials to visit the scene of the Mpumalanga crash: