FIVE school children were injured - two critically - after their school transport minibus was hit by a goods train in Soweto yesterday afternoon.

The driver of a Toyota Quantum minibus, allegedly ignored warning signs to stop at a level crossing in Dobsonville, Soweto. He allegedly overtook vehicles in front of him at a level crossing, and was hit on the side and pushed a few metres before the train could stop.

Osky Sambo, a vegetable vendor who witnessed the incident at the intersection of Elias Motsoaledi and Main Reef road, near Dobsonville, Soweto, said he heard the train hoot, warning motorists as it approached the level crossing.

"There were two small vehicles and two trucks at the crossing. A small vehicles overtook those cars and the taxi driver followed, but was hit," Sambo said.

Emergency services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said the critically injured children were taken to Tshepo-Themba Clinic and the other three to Leratong Hospital.

He said the vehicle was carrying 14 children from Westridge High School in Roodepoort, West Rand.

Joburg Metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane confirmed that the driver of the taxi had failed to stop, leading to the accident.

The accident happens three months after a Cape Town taxi driver Jacob Humphreys was found guilty of murdering 10 children who were killed when his taxi was hit by a train at a level crossing in the city.

Western Cape High Court Judge Robert Henney sentenced Humphreys, 55, to 20 years for the 10 charges of murder and four of attempted murder.

The incident happened on August 25 2010 while Humphreys was transporting children to school.

He stopped at the Buttskop level crossing, overtook a row of cars, ignored safety signals and proceeded through the crossing.

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Mon May 20 08:59:43 SAST 2013 ::

Mar 16, 2012

JUBJUB

Mara this taxi drivers are stubborn nxa.......
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Mar 16, 2012

polochipi

most of the taxi drivers do not adhere to traffic rules,they make their own rules,and on the road
they are full of arguments,they feel they are right all the time.Aag man
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Mar 16, 2012

tumzangwana

this taxi driver is stup!d, that means he didnt he learn anything from the cape town incident. that's what happens when bomageza think gore bona ke distapora they can do anything they want. he is lucky gore no one d!ed.
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Mar 16, 2012

MommaC

&^%$ taxis. I am so blessed not to have to put my life and the lives of my children at their mercy. Life would be so much easier is 'stupid' hurt.
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Mar 16, 2012

WordofGod

the roads are just dangerous, whether you in a taxi, bus or in your own car. people are just reckless. you can be hit by a car/taxi/bus while adhering to the traffic rules. you just have to put your trust in God to protect you 24/7.

Ps 91:11-12, 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone
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Mar 16, 2012

MommaC

WordofGod

So where were these angels when the little angels in that taxi needed them? On a Cosatu strike?

If you don't drive like a horsesarse then the roads are not dangerous.
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Mar 16, 2012

M'pesu

I saw this incident live yesterday while I was driving from work... Taxi drivers always drives recklessly on that intersection, even during the presence of Metro officers...

This guys should just be charged with attempted murder and locked up for 25 years, he will drive chairs in prison.
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Mar 16, 2012

Mosquer

mageza again. Life sentence pls
O bona o tšhabile sekolo bjalo o n y a k a go fediša ya bana ba bangwe
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Mar 16, 2012

Namaneyatholo

@WordofGod: good point.
some of these things need spiritual intervention. the devil is at work and we must not take that lightly. lets rather pray for all the drivers and againt the devil.easter is coming, life will be lost on the roads. its nt that some1 did not learn but bcoz the enemy is out there.
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Psalm 91:1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

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Mar 16, 2012

CLB999

I wish for him to rot in jail
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