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Cape Town - Three of the pupils injured in Tuesday morning’s bus accident on the R44 near Stellenbosch remain in hospital.
A total of 36 of the 57 Cloetesville High School pupils travelling on the bus were hospitalised for a range of injuries after the bus overturned.
Paramedics found two children in a critical condition and another child was seriously injured.
Provincial education department spokesperson, Jessica Shelver, said one of the children was undergoing surgery for a leg injury at the Stellenbosch Mediclinic, while two pupils were in the trauma unit at Tygerberg Hospital.
“They are in a serious, but stable condition,” she told News24.
Education MEC Debbie Schafer visited pupils at Stellenbosch Hospital on Friday morning.
“According to the health department, four hospitals have treated or are caring for 36 learners. They include 19 patients at Paarl Hospital. The hospital expects to discharge all of these learners today,” she said.
“Stellenbosch Hospital has treated and discharged seven learners, and has admitted the driver for observation. We are hoping for a speedy recovery for the remainder of the learners and the driver involved.”
The department has sent psychologists, social workers and counsellors to the hospitals and school to provide trauma counselling.
Schafer said the department would fully investigate the accident, in line with procedure.
“Our officials are working with the school to keep parents informed and to arrange necessary support,” she said.
