Today (1 June 2012) at around 7:45, a female school child aged approximately 11 years old was knocked down by a motorist at the intersection of 7th and Van Riebeek avenue in Edenvale. Terence Teixeira from the Matrix Road Safety Foundation, who arrived on the scene, says he was unable to establish what exactly happened leading to the incident. “The Matrix Road Safety Association arrived on scene and the onboard Emer-G-Med medic assisted with stabilising the patient. The child had sustained a critical head injury and was transported by Emer-G-Med ambulance to the Edenvale Fire station where she was airlifted to hospital,” he reports.
Teixeira urges motorists to be extra cautious in areas where learners may be walking to school or crossing roads to get to bus stops or taxi stops. He also encourages parents to speak to their school-going children about road safety and the importance of walking on side-walks and looking both ways before crossing the street. “The accident today was very unfortunate and we all need to do what we can to prevent such accidents happening. Please respect speed limits in areas where there are schools and educate your children so they are aware of vehicles at all times,” he says.
For more information on the Matrix Road Safety Association visit www.matrix.co.za