Ten school children were killed and several injured late on Saturday after a taxi they were travelling in allegedly hit a cow on the R616 between Bergville and Ladysmith. The taxi then allegedly plunged into a nearby pond. KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane has confirmed the accident.

“We can confirm that there is an accident which occurred on the R616. A taxi carrying school kids was travelling from Ladysmith to Bergville. It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle and then it plunged into a pond near the road. Ten children died and others were rushed to hospital,” Ncalane said.