A 17-year-old Phoenix matric pupil has died, while three other teenagers are in the hospital with critical injuries after the vehicle they were travelling in allegedly crashed into a tree on Eastbury Drive last night.
“The four were trapped in the vehicle when paramedics arrived at the scene. The girl, aged 17, died at the scene. The driver was 18 years old. It is unclear if he was licensed,” said Gareth Naidoo, head of KZN VIP Emergency Services.
He said the firefighters carefully extricated the teenagers - a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old - out of the vehicle, but they had serious injuries.
“They could not talk or give any details. It is believed that the driver lost control before crashing into a tree, leaving three occupants entrapped in the wreckage.
“Three seriously injured patients were stabilised on scene before being transported to nearby medical facilities for further treatment. Sadly a teenager was declared deceased at the scene.
“The exact circumstances leading up to the crash remain unconfirmed,” Naidoo said.
It was later established that three of the teenagers, including the deceased, were from Rydalpark Secondary School, and one was a pupil at Earlington Secondary School.
Pam Sewrajh, chairperson of the Rydalpark Secondary School Governing Body (SGB), said the deceased teenager was a matric pupil who was due to write her exams on Wednesday.
She said the school has found out about the incident after reports on social media.
“We do not have the details as to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We had contacted the girl’s parents, and they had confirmed that the child had died.
“We can confirm that the other three pupils, one of whom is a pupil at Earlington Secondary School, are in a critical condition.
“The pupil who died has a few more papers to write for her matric exam.
“We are reeling from shock,” Sewrajh added.