A taxi driver is under investigation following a serious road accident in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday morning, which left several schoolchildren injured.

The accident happened at the intersection of Spine and Merrydale Roads in Portlands, at around 07:00.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk, police officers arrived on the scene to find multiple vehicles standing on the side of the road near the robots in front of a high school.

“It was alleged that a Toyota Quantum white in colour, was dropping school children at their respective schools, while coming down the bridge towards the robots, the driver of the taxi with the school children had lost control of the vehicle. He then collided into six other vehicles,” said Van Wyk.

The City’s Traffic Services confirmed that twelve children, aged between 10 and 14, were passengers in the taxi at the time.

Several sustained minor injuries and were transported to Mitchells Plain Day Hospital for treatment.

City of Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout said revealed that the taxi had been suspended from service.

“The driver had no licence or Professional Driving Permit (PrDP),” said Bezuidenhout.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that eight learners from five different schools were injured in the incident.

“We are just grateful there were no fatalities,” she said. Hammond added that WCED officials were on site, and with the support of the school swiftly assisted learners who were need to get to school.

“We are grateful for the support we got from the schools who acted promptly in ensuring that the remaining learners left on the scene were transported to their respective schools.”

Police are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving.