School run horror as bus overturns in Reservoir Hills, injuring dozens

A Monday morning that changed in seconds

What began as an ordinary school and work commute in Durban turned into a scene of chaos and fear on Monday morning after a bus overturned in Reservoir Hills, west of the city. At least 20 people, many of them school-going children were injured when the bus crashed along Annet Drive, a busy suburban route known for steep bends and morning congestion.

Emergency sirens echoed through the area as paramedics rushed to the scene, where the bus lay on its side, trapping and injuring passengers who were on their way to start the day.

🚨 Active crash scene: bus overturned on Annet Drive, Reservoir Hills. _Life Response_ on site (06:55 Feb 9). Expect road closures and delays; avoid the area if possible.

#KZN #ReservoirHills #BusCrash #TrafficAlert#SaNationalTrafficUpdates pic.twitter.com/bOuIKethO0

SA NATIONAL TRAFFIC UPDATES (@lnnocent191535) February 9, 2026

Emergency crews rush in as road shuts down

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that multiple ambulances were dispatched almost immediately. According to Jamieson, between 15 and 20 people sustained injuries, including several children travelling to school.

“The bus overturned and came to rest on its side,” he said. “There are multiple casualties, and emergency teams are actively treating and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.”

Annet Drive was completely closed to traffic as paramedics worked alongside SAPS and Metro Police. Motorists were urged to avoid the area, with officials warning that the road would remain shut for some time while emergency care and vehicle recovery operations continued.

A familiar fear for Durban families

For many Durban parents, especially in areas like Reservoir Hills, school transport safety is a constant worry. The suburb’s narrow roads and heavy morning traffic have long been a concern for residents, who took to social media expressing shock and relief that no fatalities were immediately reported.

Comments flooded local community groups, with parents sharing messages of support and prayers for the injured children. “This is every parent’s nightmare,” one resident wrote.

Road safety under renewed scrutiny

The crash comes just weeks after a deadly accident on the R102 near Isipingo, where 11 people lost their lives in a collision involving a taxi and a truck. That incident prompted KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Sibiniso Duma to call for stricter enforcement of roadworthiness laws, revealing that worn tyres and expired permits played a role in the tragedy.

While the cause of Monday’s bus crash is still under investigation, the incident has once again highlighted ongoing concerns around public transport safety, vehicle maintenance, and the daily risks faced by commuters, especially children, across the province.

What happens next

Police have confirmed that investigations into the Reservoir Hills crash are underway. Authorities will assess vehicle condition, driver conduct, and road factors to determine what led to the bus overturning.

For now, the focus remains on the recovery of those injured and on the families who started their Monday with a routine goodbye, only to be met with fear and uncertainty hours later.

{Source: The Citizen}

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