A devastating road accident on the N12 highway near the Puitfontein Road off-ramp has claimed the lives of four young children and left five others injured, plunging the community into mourning. The tragic crash involved learners from various schools in the Benoni and Rynfield areas and has prompted urgent conversations around road safety and the protection of schoolchildren.
According to reports, the fatal accident occurred when a vehicle transporting the children was involved in a serious collision. Among the victims were two siblings—a Grade 1 and a Grade 3 learner—who attended Tom Newby Primary School in Benoni. Another child who died was a Grade 1 boy from Rynfield Primary School, while the fourth was a Grade R learner from a nearby Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre.
The accident has left the families of the victims and the broader school communities devastated. Emotional tributes and messages of support have been pouring in as the local community comes to grips with the sudden and heartbreaking loss. Teachers and parents have described the children as bright, joyful, and full of potential, their lives cut tragically short.
One of the five injured children—a Grade 3 girl from Rynfield Primary—is currently fighting for her life in hospital. She sustained critical injuries and was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility for urgent care. Her condition remains unstable, and the community has united in hope and prayer for her recovery.
Although the precise cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident. The N12 is known to be a high-traffic area, and this latest tragedy has once again brought road safety to the forefront of public concern. Community members are calling for improved safety measures for school transport vehicles and more rigorous enforcement of traffic laws.
In response to the tragedy, both Tom Newby and Rynfield Primary schools have extended their condolences and are offering psychological support to grieving learners, staff, and affected families. Special counselling sessions have been arranged, and memorial services are being planned to honour the lives of the young victims.
This tragic incident has also sparked renewed national conversation about the safety of children during daily commutes. Parents, educators, and civil society groups are urging authorities to implement stricter regulations for learner transport and to ensure vehicles used to transport children are roadworthy and driven by responsible individuals.
As the investigation continues and the families begin to lay their loved ones to rest, the focus remains on healing, accountability, and preventing similar tragedies. The lives lost on that fateful stretch of road serve as a painful reminder of the urgency of prioritising road safety—especially for the most vulnerable among us.
The community remains united in grief and in its demand for action to ensure that no other family has to endure such a devastating loss.