A seven-year-old girl was killed and a 12-year-old road safety scholar patroller seriously injured when they were knocked down by a bakkie in Mahikeng, the North West public safety department said.
“It is alleged that a Ford Ranger construction bakkie hit the two girls a few metres from a pedestrian crossing near the Old Apostolic Church in Magogoe Koi-Koi road around 7am,” spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said in a statement.
“A bus stopped at the pedestrian crossing. It is suspected to have obstructed the view of the construction vehicle, for the driver to see the seven-year-old who was about to cross on her way to school.”
Onalenna Radebe, a member of Seetsele Primary School’s road safety scholar patrol team, tried to pull the girl out of the bakkie’s path and was also knocked down.
The seven-year-old died on the scene, while Onalenna was rushed to Bophelong Provincial Hospital.
Police were investigating a case of culpable homicide, unlawful parking and reckless or negligent driving.