Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

What should have been a memorable trip for pupils of Liverpool Secondary School in Benoni turned to tears when their bus overturned on the M2 near the Cleveland off-ramp in Ekurhuleni yesterday.

More than 30 pupils, a teacher and their 45-year-old driver were injured.

The group of 58 students and two teachers were on their way to a career exhibition at Wits University when the accident happened.

"The driver lost control of the bus when he was trying to avoid a truck," said Ekurhuleni Metro police spokesman Kobeli Mokheseng.

Mokheseng said the truck crashed into the side of the bus, causing the driver to lose control. After the collision the bus overturned.

Some pupils claimed that the bus driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and failed to see the truck approaching.

Liverpool school principal NR Kalan expressed shock at the accident.

"Fortunately, most pupils only sustained minor injuries except for one, who needed to have an X-ray taken," Kalan said.

Mokheseng said they were investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving.