Kimberley – Six-year-old twins were killed on impact while they sleeping at the back of a donkey cart when a bus crashed into them. The family apparently stopped on the shoulder of the road to secure the harness on the donkey.
Netcare 911 spokesman, Chris Botha, said the collision occurred about 60 kilometres outside Kimberley on the Hopetown road on Friday evening at about 7.27pm.
“According to reports the family travelling in the donkey cart pulled into the breakdown lane on the N12 to secure the donkey while the two boys were sleeping in the cart.”
He stated that a bus travelling on the N12 then slammed into the donkey cart.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene and found that the two boys were thrown out the cart due to the impact of the collision and landed about a hundred metres apart.
“The twins died on the scene after sustained extensive injuries.”
Botha added that the metal pole of the cart impaled the donkey, which also died on impact.
“The exact details surrounding the cause of the crash is still speculative and will form part of the police investigation.”
According to eyewitnesses the boys’ mother, father and uncle, who got off the donkey cart to fasten the straps of the harness, managed to get out of the way before the bus slammed into the cart. They were not injured.
“The bus slammed into the mule and cart, while the boys were still sleeping on the back,” witnesses said.
“It appeared as if the donkey cart was travelling towards Hopetown while the bus was travelling towards Kimberley at the time of the incident. It was dark and there were no reflectors on the donkey cart. ”
ER24 paramedics were also on the scene.
The donkey was removed by a farmer and members of SAPS.
Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said the Belmont police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
“Two boys died after the cart they were travelling was involved in an accident with a bus on the N12. The investigation is ongoing.
“The identities of the deceased has not been confirmed yet and the next of kin must still be informed.”