“Rest in peace, young boy”: De Doorns learner dies in tragic accident at matric farewell

• Fredrico Konstabel, 14, was fatally injured at his school's matric farewell event in De Doorns on 8 October 2026
• The Grade 9 learner fell beneath the wheels of a moving truck after trying to grab onto it as it left the school grounds
• His mother, Cherla Konstabel, pushed through a hysterical crowd to reach her son, in a moment that has left the community heartbroken

A 14-year-old boy lost his life at his school's matric farewell in De Doorns, Western Cape, after a moment of excitement turned fatal. Fredrico Konstabel, a Grade 9 learner at Hexvallei Secondary School, died on the evening of Thursday, 8 October 2026, after falling beneath the wheels of a large commercial truck on the school grounds.

The school was buzzing with energy that night. It was the annual matric farewell, and younger students and community members had gathered on Glenco Way to watch their Grade 12 peers arrive in style. At around 19:40, a truck hired to transport one of the matriculants pulled up, dropped off the student at the entrance, and began making its way out.

As the vehicle accelerated to leave, a group of excited children ran alongside it and grabbed on. Fredrico attempted to do the same, but his hands slipped. He fell directly under the moving wheels and was fatally crushed. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

A mother's worst nightmare

His mother, Cherla Konstabel, 47, rushed to the school after receiving the devastating news. She had to fight her way through a crowd of traumatised children and community members to reach him. Speaking to local media, she described what she found:

"Daar was net bloed" ("There was only blood").

She found her son lying on his stomach, his hands twisted behind him.

Fredrico leaves behind his mother, two older sisters and an older brother.

A dream he would never get to fulfil

The tragedy carries a particularly painful irony. Fredrico's father is a professional truck driver, and family members shared that Fredrico idolised him. His biggest dream was to follow in his father's footsteps and become a truck driver himself.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Wesley Twigg confirmed that authorities are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

See the heartbreaking story here:

Mzansi mourns Fredrico

South Africans were deeply moved and shared their grief in the comments section on the Facebook page:

@Rika Bekker wrote:

"Such a shame."

@Petro Lombaard said:

"It's sad, but no one thinks about the driver of the truck. How does he feel now, and it's not even his fault. I hope children now see what can happen if they jump on the back of trucks while a truck is moving."

@Julian Nero shared:

"My deepest condolences. May God bless us all today. Amen."

@Daniel Februarie wrote:

"Condolences to the family. May God strengthen them during this sad time. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

@Davids Brookes Beverly added:

"Everyone will always remember that beautiful smile. Rest in peace, young boy and my deepest condolences to his family and friends."

@Cornelia Van Greuning said:

"Good luck, mum, family, and friends. May dear Jesus hold you tight in this sad time. Rest in peace, son."

More on matric dances and matric farewells

• Briefly News recently reported on Roosevelt High matrics and parents who hit back after the school’s matric dance was shut down, leaving South Africans divided.
• A man blasted the principal’s WhatsApp status before the matric dance shutdown, and the hashtag she used drew sharp criticism online.
• Queen Nandi’s daughter turned heads in a stunning red matric dance gown, and Mzansi said she left no crumbs.

Source: Briefly News

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