Child Knocked Down by Vehicle While Crossing Road in Lusikisiki

A six-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being knocked down by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross a road in Lusikisiki, prompting renewed calls for heightened road safety across the Eastern Cape.

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the incident occurred when the child was struck by a white Volkswagen Polo travelling from Lusikisiki in the direction of Flagstaff. The young girl sustained serious head injuries as a result of the collision and was immediately rushed to the Flagstaff Clinic, where she received urgent medical attention. Her condition has not yet been publicly updated.

Incident Under Investigation

The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. While details remain limited at this stage, the Department confirmed that the driver involved did not flee the scene. Instead, the motorist stopped, took responsibility, transported the injured child to a healthcare facility, and reported the incident to the authorities.

The Department described this conduct as responsible and humane, particularly at a time when hit-and-run incidents are reportedly increasing across the province. Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about drivers who fail to stop after accidents, often with fatal consequences for victims.

A Painful Contrast to Recent Tragedy

This incident comes just days after a devastating hit-and-run in East London, where an eight-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a vehicle whose driver allegedly fled the scene, leaving the child without assistance. That case has sparked public outrage and intensified calls for stricter enforcement of road traffic laws and harsher consequences for offenders.

While the Lusikisiki case did not result in an immediate fatality, the Department emphasised that any incident involving a child on the road is deeply distressing and unacceptable. Children are among the most vulnerable road users, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where pedestrian infrastructure is often limited.

Call for Caution and Shared Responsibility

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has once again urged all motorists to exercise extreme caution, especially in areas where children, pedestrians, and communities are close to roadways. Drivers are reminded that slowing down, remaining alert, and anticipating pedestrian movement can prevent life-altering tragedies.

The Department further stressed that stopping at the scene of an accident, offering assistance, and reporting the incident to authorities is not only a legal requirement but a moral obligation. Protecting vulnerable road users, particularly children, requires collective responsibility from drivers, communities, and authorities alike.

As the investigation continues, thoughts remain with the injured child and her family, who are facing an unimaginably difficult time. Road safety officials have reiterated that every life matters, and that preventing such incidents must remain a priority across the province.