Drag-racing driver ploughs into children
2013-01-26 16:06
Johannesburg - Three children died after a motorist allegedly lost control of a car while drag racing, knocking down 12 children at Goba Village, east of Malelane, the Mpumalanga community safety department said on Saturday.
Spokeperson Moeti Mmusi said the accident happened on Friday evening.
"It is alleged that the driver was drag racing before losing control of the vehicle and knocking down the learners," he said in a statement.
"Three of the learners were critically injured and they were transported to Tonga Hospital were they later died from the injuries they sustained during the accident."
The other nine children suffered minor injuries and were recovering in hospital.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Community Safety MEC, Vusi Shongwe, condemned reckless and irresponsible driving.
He said the criminal justice system needs to send a message that reckless and negligent driving would not be tolerated.
"We need to deal harshly with irresponsible drivers who want to turn our roads into killing fields. The law must take its course," Shongwe said in a statement.
Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide and reckless driving.
The driver of the car was arrested on Friday night and is expected to appear in court soon.
Investigations continue.
- SAPA
