Two young school children, aged six and eleven, tragically lost their lives in a car accident on the N8 highway in Bloemfontein this morning, Friday, 24 January. The accident, which occurred around 7:45 am at a traffic-light controlled intersection, involved a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a Chevrolet Spark.
The Chevrolet Spark, carrying five occupants including the driver, was struck by the bakkie. The two deceased children, both in school uniform, died instantly upon impact. The driver and two other children in the Chevrolet were rushed to a local Bloemfontein hospital by emergency services. The driver of the Toyota Hilux was also taken to hospital.
Earlier this morning, a school transport vehicle was involved in an accident near Aljos Shopping Centre on the N8 highway in Bloemfontein, tragically claiming the lives of three school children and critically injuring two others. Both drivers sustained minor injuries in the… pic.twitter.com/rZM10kuC3t
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) January 24, 2025
Eyewitness accounts suggest the Hilux, towing a trailer laden with fencing materials, was travelling eastbound when it collided with the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet driver was proceeding towards the Aljo’s shopping centre, situated along the N8 highway. At this stage, the exact circumstances leading to the collision remain unclear and are under investigation.
This tragic incident follows a separate, albeit less severe, accident on the same highway three days prior. On 21 January, at approximately 00:20, a light motor vehicle (LMV) collided with a truck approximately 33 kilometres from Petrusburg towards Bloemfontein. Both vehicles sustained damage, with debris scattered across the roadway.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended the scene, providing triage to those involved. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported in this earlier incident. SAPS, Petrusburg EMS ambulances, and fire services also responded to the scene. Importantly, the collision did not impede traffic flow, and no road closures or diversions were necessary. An investigation into the cause of this earlier collision is also underway.
The stark contrast between the two incidents highlights the unpredictable nature of road accidents and underscores the importance of road safety. While the earlier incident resulted in no fatalities, the tragic loss of two young lives in today’s accident serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from collisions on our roads.
The authorities will undoubtedly be focusing on determining the cause of this morning’s fatal accident to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The families of the deceased children are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
