On a solemn day last year, the Riebeeckstad High School community in Welkom was rocked by a devastating tragedy. A group of 58 pupils had been returning from an outdoor sports event held at the Moolmanshoek Nature Reserve near Ficksburg and Rosendal when the unthinkable happened. The schoolgirls were traveling back home when the bus they were on lost control, resulting in a tragic accident on the R70.
According to reports, the bus, which was carrying the students, overturned after the driver lost control when one of the wheels loosened. The shock of the incident was felt deeply by the community, as it led to the tragic deaths of six pupils. In addition to those who perished at the scene, four other students sustained critical injuries, while eight others experienced moderate injuries. The remaining 40 pupils were fortunate enough to sustain only minor injuries, but the emotional impact was felt throughout the region.
The affected pupils were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, where they received immediate care. Some were sent to various hospitals in Welkom, Virginia, and Senekal. Among those admitted, 24 patients were taken to Bongani Hospital, with 22 being discharged after receiving medical attention. One pupil was transferred to Welkom Medi Clinic, while another remained at Bongani Hospital with serious but stable injuries.
In addition, 17 students were admitted to Medi Clinic in Welkom, with 15 later discharged. The remaining two students continued to receive treatment there. At Itemoheng Hospital in Senekal, four students were admitted, two of whom were later transferred to Dihlabeng Hospital. The other two pupils were discharged after treatment.
Despite the chaos of the situation, emergency services confirmed that the death toll stood at six, though additional verification was still being conducted. The local government urged parents who were seeking information about their children to visit Bongani Hospital or Medi Clinic, where arrangements had been made to provide updates and support. Alternatively, they could contact the grade head of Riebeeckstad High School for further details.
Free State’s MEC for Education, Makalo Mohale, expressed his department’s concern and assured the public that they were closely monitoring the condition of those still in the hospital. He further revealed that the bus involved in the accident was not a rented vehicle but belonged to the school itself. However, the full cause of the accident had yet to be confirmed.
“We are aware that the wheel came loose, causing the bus to overturn, but further investigations are still underway,” Mohale stated.
Local police have launched an investigation into the incident, with authorities looking into the possibility of culpable homicide. Brigadier Motantsi Mokhele of the Free State Saps shared that it was still too early to determine responsibility for the accident, and investigations were ongoing to clarify the cause and potential liabilities.
As the families, friends, and classmates of the victims continue to mourn the loss of the six young lives, the entire Riebeeckstad High School community stands united in remembering the students and supporting those who were injured in this heartbreaking accident.