What you need to know about the Tanzanian accident and the pupils involved

As we join the family of the 32 pupils who died in a grisly road accident when the bus they were travelling in plunged into a river at Marera in Rhotia area in Tanzania there are several things we need to know about them.

First and foremost the 32 pupils were from St Lucy Vincent School in Arusha were travelling to Karatu for a joint examination with Tumaini School. They died along with two teachers and the matatu driver.

Secondly, they were children who met their death were most of them were aged between 12 and 14 years.The number of girls who died in the road accident was high than that of the boys.Going by the number given by eyewitness and education officials 17 girls and 12 boys lost their live totaling to 29 pupils.

Thirdly several other children were injured but one child walked away unhurt.According to the child, the accident was caused by the driver because he thought the road he was travelling on was straight.

The child further said that the driver was speeding yet it was raining.The driver lost control after trying to negotiate a sharp corner on the road forcing the vehicle to plunge into a ditch.

 Going by the government data More than 11,000 people were killed in road accidents in Tanzania between 2014 and 2016

Lastly, the accident has extinguished the dreams of these children who were the hope and future of the nation. It has left many families, the nation and the school in deep pain and sorrow.