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By Caryn Dolley
Four years ago, her community nicknamed her Little Rock. They gave her the name as she had survived being raped, set alight and left for dead at the tender age of seven.
On Wednesday, residents were mourning her life when news spread that she had been killed in a taxi accident in Blackheath on her way to school.
Liezel August, 11, was one of nine pupils who died on Wednesday when a train hit a taxi when the vehicle was trying to cross the tracks.
According to witnesses, the driver cut in and out of cars waiting to cross the tracks, and then swerved around the boom to try to dash ahead of the approaching train.
The children were from Bellville Technical School, Kalksteenfontein Primary, Kasselsvlei Technical School, Kuilsriver Technical School and Good Hope Primary School.
Police spokesperson Colonel Billy Jones said three girls and six boys died. Five children were injured. Jones confirmed that all protection measures were in place at the level crossing between Blackheath and Eersterivier where the accident happened. Police would conduct a culpable homicide investigation.
The taxi driver was seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Road signs, flashing lights and booms were confirmed in working order, the Rail Safety Regulator said.
Hours after the incident, parents of the suspected dead gathered at a home for counselling.
Liezel's mother, Ingrid August, walked around the house at first, smiling and greeting people, then momentarily broke down and wept.
"I'm not ready to talk yet. I don't know if my baby's dead so I can't tell you. It's all too much," August said.
She told friends that, though she knew her daughter had got into the same type of taxi, it may not have been the one involved in the crash.
Philip Samuels, a community member, said he was shocked to hear "Little Rock" was among the dead.
"After all she's been through we can't believe it. She gave us such hope," he said.