Watch: Six learners injured after taxi driver tries to run from police

Bethlehem, Free State – Six learners from Ntsu Secondary School sustained injuries on September 1, 2025, after a taxi overturned in an accident. The incident occurred this morning when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid traffic officers.

Emergency services arrived at the scene and transported the injured learners to a nearby hospital for medical care. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact details of the crash.

Footage from the site depicts the taxi on its side in a grassy area, with bystanders assisting in extracting individuals from the wreckage.

Incidents like this reflect broader issues with reckless behavior among some minibus taxi drivers in South Africa, where an estimated 70,000 minibus taxi crashes occur annually. Research indicates that taxi drivers are more prone to unsafe and aggressive driving practices compared to other motorists.

Poor working conditions, including pressure to meet daily revenue targets, contribute to such recklessness, sometimes resulting in drivers exceeding speed limits, such as averaging 114 km/h in 80 km/h zones.