A TAXI driver transporting 18 pupils to school died yesterday when his vehicle crashed, leaving all of his passengers injured.

A TAXI driver transporting 18 pupils to school died yesterday when his vehicle crashed, leaving all of his passengers injured.

The accident occurred on the Dundee-Nquthu road in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Provincial authorities at the scene said it appeared one of the vehicle's tyres had burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The vehicle overturned, throwing out an 11-year-old passenger who was seated on the front seat of the minibus.

The driver, trapped in the wreckage, died at the crash scene.

Police spokesperson Shooz Magudulela said those pupils seriously injured were admitted to Dundee Hospital.

"Most of the pupils suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

"The vehicle transported the pupils from the local church to school in Dundee for free."

In another road smash, 12 passengers narrowly escaped death when two taxis collided in Umlazi yesterday.

A taxi was collecting commuters when the second taxi crashed into it from behind. The impact caused the stationary vehicle to leave the road and land on an embankment.

ER24 spokesman Derrick Banks said paramedics quickly arrived on the scene.

"One of the taxis had gone up an embankment, while the second one was still on the road.

"The commuters were in a state of shock, sitting on the side of the road.

"A female passenger was treated for her injuries at the crash scene and then transported by the paramedics to hospital in a serious condition."

Banks said 11 passengers were also treated for minor to moderate injuries.