Vanderbijlpark scholar transport death toll rises

The number of learners who lost their lives following a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark has risen to 13. 

Preliminary information indicates the minibus taxi the pupils were travelling in was struck by a side tipper truck, causing it to veer off the road. 

The area has been cordoned off as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane are being briefed by police and emergency officials on the sequence of events that led to the crash. 

Police confirm that both the driver of the truck and the minibus taxi survived the crash, with investigations now under way to determine what led to the crash.