GEORGE NEWS - An alarmed motorist alerted George Herald yesterday morning, Wednesday 6 March, when he encountered high school learners on Serpentine Road, a short distance from the N2, after the African Express bus they had been travelling in broke down.
Again today, Thursday 7 March shortly after 08:00, George Herald were notified of another African Express Bus with Parkdene High learners stranded on Kaaimans Pass at a picnic spot, with traffic officials present.
No photo was taken by witnesses, because of the risk involved to find a suitable parking spot. "The children was standing outside the vehicle and we could see traffic too," said the motorist. According to one of the parents, some of the learners were taken to the hospital for shock treatment.
This is the third time in two weeks that a bus from this company, that was transporting learners, broke down on this road.
On 21 February, a bus with about 40 Parkdene High learners careened down Serpentine Pass without brakes. Although the brakes were intact, they became inactive at some point and the driver had to free down the pass while negotiating the turns.
The African Express bus that broke down yesterday morning was also en route to George, from Touwsranten, with learners of Parkdene High. The motorist that witnessed the bus and learners next to the road was highly concerned about the children who were moving freely in the road.
Some apparently even tried to "regulate" the traffic. He said the bus obstructed the view of oncoming traffic, which made the situation with the learners in the road more dangerous.
"I was especially worried, because of what happened recently," said the driver.
Bus owner Praveen Singh confirmed the breakdown yesterday, and explained that the bus driver lost power while accelerating. "We immediately sent another bus for the learners, and they were at school at 08:20, safe and sound," said Singh. "My mechanic went to check the battery of the bus, which seemed to be flat, and took jumper cables along with him."
Asked to comment on the safety of the learners moving around in the road, Singh said it is very difficult to control them, because the moment the bus comes to a halt everyone shoots for the door and wants to be outside. "It is a problem we often experience," he said.
What says George's traffic chief?
Traffic chief Janine Wells said the driver of any vehicle, be it a school bus or other, is ultimately responsible for the passengers of that vehicle.
"In this instance the driver should have first contacted traffic authorities to advise that he needed traffic assistance in the form of regulation of traffic, then contacted the bus company for a replacement bus, and then the school to alert them to the issue.
"The school and the bus company should have protocols in place for what happens with regard to learners under such circumstances."
Wells also noted that the motorist who reported the incident to the George Herald should have taken it upon themselves to alert the authorities as soon as possible to the dangerous situation that was unfolding.
The following numbers may be used:
- After-hours and emergencies: 044 801 6300
- Toll-free disaster number: 087 152 9999
- Fire emergencies: 044 801 6311
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