Kamogelo Seekoei

Kamogelo Seekoei

The family of Thanyani Liphosa, 9, of Ormonde, Johannesburg, who was killed in a freak accident on Monday say they are coping well with her death.

Family spokesman and Thanyani's uncle, Jan Modutwane, said yesterday that family members were feeling a lot better now.

Thanyani, a Grade 4 pupil at Robertsham Primary School, died after she was hit by a school van on Monday afternoon.

The van was reportedly parked under a tree, where it was usually parked, when some pupils got inside. The van rolled back and crashed into Thanyani who was drinking water from a tap.

Modutwane said the girl could not have survived the accident because her head was smashed against a wall.

He said the school had made Thanyani's death bearable by offering to help the family with her burial.

"They offered to help, even financially, with everything that we might need. That is really comforting," said Modutwane.

He said they had not heard from the police since Monday.

Dion Mulaudzi, of Booysens police, said they were still investigating the accident.

Meanwhile a memorial service will be held for Thanyani at the school on Friday morning.