Fourteen East London teenagers, seriously injured when the bakkie they were travelling in on Saturday lost control and crashed, were still in hospital late on Sunday.
The accident, which happened on the N2 between Beacon Bay and Gonubie, claimed the lives of three of their teammates, all aged 14, and the driver of the bakkie.
The teens, who are members of Gonubie’s Rising Stars football club, were being ferried home to Mzamomhle township when the deadly accident occurred. They had played a friendly game at the Bunkers Hill stadium.
Their bakkie is believed to have lost control and veered across the N2.
Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed that three boys, aged 14, and the 51-year-old driver had died.
Health department spokesperson Siyanda Manana said 14 young patients had arrived at Frere Hospital, several in a critical condition.
Doctors were awaiting the CAT scan reports of six of the teenagers.
Manana said the six were a 15-year-old with a brain injury, another 15-year-old with a fractured leg, a 14-year-old with a fracture, a 16-year-old with a brain injury, a 15-year-old with polytrauma (multiple traumatic injuries) and a 14-year-old with a brain injury.
Rising Stars founder Zamikhaya Ngcute said the driver ferrying the children was reportedly on his second trip when the accident happened.
“It is difficult. The surviving children are traumatised by this,” he said.
Ngcute said he spent Sunday visiting the bereaved families to comfort them.
“It is hard, the sadness on the faces of families ... you can tell it is still new, they have not yet come to terms with the loss. One did not see this coming.”
He said he formed the team in 2023 to keep children occupied.
“They were disciplined and dedicated. They really enjoyed playing.
“I started this team because I could see in the community the effects of not having anything to do [on] the children. They would find themselves being victims of peer pressure.”
Determined to make a positive difference, said he saw the club as his way of giving back to the community by using sport to bring them together.
“I grew up playing soccer, and I saw that it would be fit to coach and help them play,” he said.
Bunkers Hill West Local Football Association’s Abel Iglesias confirmed that the team was one of their affiliates.
“We are devastated to hear the news,” he said.
Sport MEC Sibulele Ngongo said the loss of such young and promising lives was a devastating blow to their families, teammates and the football community.
It is hard, the sadness on the faces of families ... you can tell it is still new, they have not yet come to terms with the loss. One did not see this coming
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured.
“As we continue to promote youth development through sport, we call on all stakeholders to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our players on the field and especially during travel,” Ngongo said.
Safa’s Buffalo City Metro president, Mxolisi Prince Sibam, said the news of the young players’ death had left the association devastated.
“We will be following this up and investigate the circumstances which led to their demise.
“We will also be in touch with their families to console them and to make sure that their load is not unbearable,” Sibam said.
Daily Dispatch
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