JOHANNESBURG – It’s believed all 20 school children on board a minibus taxi were killed when their vehicle collided head-on with a truck on the R25 between Verena and Bronkhorstpruit on Friday.

The taxi burst into flames, and most of the children were trapped inside.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said fire services had managed to extinguish the burning vehicle, which was found lying on its side.

“Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the children and they were declared dead on the scene,” Meiring said.

IMAGE CREDIT: ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd

Meiring said several other children were found at the scene. It’s believed these children had been pulled out of the taxi by members of the community.

The cause of the collision is not yet known.

eNCA anchor, Shahan Ramkissoon spoke to Johan Pieterse of Tshwane EMS:

• Further details will be published as they become available.

eNCA