/ 24 August 2011

Eleven children dead in Knysna bus accident

Rescue workers recovered the bodies of 11 children from a dam in Knysna and were expecting to find more bodies after their bus plunged into the water on Wednesday morning, said Western Cape emergency services.

There were more than 35 children on the school bus when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled into the dam, said ER24 spokesperson Andre Visser.

It was not known how many survivors had been rescued. It was understood that several children were injured in the crash.

“The only part of the bus sticking out of the water is the rear,” said Visser.

Western Cape emergency services spokesperson Kerry Davids said the death toll was expected to rise.

Police divers, paramedics and emergency services were on the scene. – Sapa