A Grade 5 learner, Aubrey Peterson, 11, died tragically at Brandwacht Primary School near Hartenbos today (29 October 2004) when the wall of a mobile classroom under construction collapsed while children were playing on the site.

Four learners were injured in the accident and were taken to the Provincial Hospital in Mossel Bay for treatment.

The hospital later discharged one of the learners, Elvira Michaels, who was slightly injured. Doctors are assessing the injuries of the other three, Erica Matthews, Levona Human and Sonya du Preez.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) informed the MEC for Education, Cameron Dugmore, immediately on learning of the accident.

MEC Dugmore said: "This is a deeply tragic accident, and our hearts go out to Aubrey’s parents and family. We will investigate every possible aspect of this tragedy, to find out how it could have happened. I have asked our Chief Director, Sindi Shayi, to lead this investigation."

The Director of Education in the South Cape/Karoo District, Ms Bonny Sesenyamotse, a school psychologist and a social worker rushed to the school immediately after hearing of the accident, to find out what had happened and to provide trauma counseling for those involved.

The psychologist and social worker also counseled Aubrey’s parents, who were called to the school immediately after the accident.

At the time of the accident, contractors had completed the floor and two walls. The principal, Ms Jean Francke, has regularly warned learners not to play in the vicinity of the construction work.

Ms Francke has reported that she has been unhappy with the quality of the materials being used to construct the mobile classroom, and that she had asked the contractor to remove them. This question will form part of the investigation into this accident.

Learners who would normally be taught in the school hall were outside the building this morning because Brandwacht was preparing the hall for a debutante’s ball this evening.

Ms Francke once again warned children to stay away from the construction site, especially since the wind was blowing strongly in the area this morning.

Nevertheless, some children still entered the incomplete building. The principal initially asked the janitor to tell them to leave. They did not do so, and she visited the site herself to tell the children to leave.

As she turned to leave, one of the walls of the building collapsed, trapping the children underneath. The school immediately called the police and ambulance services to assist in lifting the wall off the learners and to provide emergency medical treatment.

"The accident has deeply traumatised all those involved. We will continue to provide all possible support to assist the families, friends and members of the school community in dealing with this tragedy," MEC Dugmore said.