Michaelhouse schoolboy killed in N3 bus crash
The Michaelhouse community is in mourning following the death of one of its pupils, Themba Dloti, in a bus crash near Hilton outside Pietermaritzburg earlier today.
A private bus had been transporting pupils from the Midlands private school to Bothas Hill, outside Hillcrest, for soccer fixtures at Kearsney College when it overturned on the N3 near Town Hill this afternoon.
While the exact cause of the crash is still unknown, the school released a statement on social media saying four under 16 soccer teams had been on the bus when it suffered a blow-out and flipped onto its side.
NOW READ: Pupil dies after bus overturns on N3 near Hilton
Michaelhouse rector, Greg Theron says pupils were called to the chapel and given the tragic news.
"We've indicated to them already that counsellors will be on hand, and that will continue as long as is necessary. Counsellors will be both secular and Christian," he said.
Theron says the entire school community, including pupils and staff, are in shock. "We are united in our grief and shock and our prayers are extended to the Dloti family."
Theron told Newswatch that pupils have returned to their houses, where they will sit with their house masters and tutors for the course of the evening.
"I'm sure they will be given the opportunity to talk long into the evening, we are all very upset," he said.
ALSO READ: Hundreds gather for Msunduzi crash mass funeral
46 boys and four staff members were being transported in a 60 seat hired bus to soccer fixtures at Kearsney College this afternoon when the accident occurred.
Theron says some of the injured pupils have already been discharged, while others require further treatment and remain in hospital.
"Numerous boys and some staff members were seriously injured and are currently undergoing surgery in one of four hospitals in Pietermaritzburg (Greys, Medi Clinic, Hilton Life and St Anne's). The Rector and members of our Board and staff are on hand at these hospitals.
The School Counsellor, Tim Jarvis, along with School Psychologist, Rob Pluke and the School Chaplain, Alan Smedley are counselling boys with the assistance of Housemasters," read a message on the school's official Facebook page on Tuesday evening.
Messages of condolences and support have been pouring in on social media for the affected families.
While the exact cause of the crash is still unknown, the school released a statement on social media saying four under 16 soccer teams had been on the bus when it suffered a blow-out and flipped onto its side.
NOW READ: Pupil dies after bus overturns on N3 near Hilton
Michaelhouse rector, Greg Theron says pupils were called to the chapel and given the tragic news.
"We've indicated to them already that counsellors will be on hand, and that will continue as long as is necessary. Counsellors will be both secular and Christian," he said.
Theron says the entire school community, including pupils and staff, are in shock. "We are united in our grief and shock and our prayers are extended to the Dloti family."
Theron told Newswatch that pupils have returned to their houses, where they will sit with their house masters and tutors for the course of the evening.
"I'm sure they will be given the opportunity to talk long into the evening, we are all very upset," he said.
ALSO READ: Hundreds gather for Msunduzi crash mass funeral
46 boys and four staff members were being transported in a 60 seat hired bus to soccer fixtures at Kearsney College this afternoon when the accident occurred.
Theron says some of the injured pupils have already been discharged, while others require further treatment and remain in hospital.
"Numerous boys and some staff members were seriously injured and are currently undergoing surgery in one of four hospitals in Pietermaritzburg (Greys, Medi Clinic, Hilton Life and St Anne's). The Rector and members of our Board and staff are on hand at these hospitals.
The School Counsellor, Tim Jarvis, along with School Psychologist, Rob Pluke and the School Chaplain, Alan Smedley are counselling boys with the assistance of Housemasters," read a message on the school's official Facebook page on Tuesday evening.
Messages of condolences and support have been pouring in on social media for the affected families.