A girl who survived a criminal attack that shocked the nation was among those killed when a train hit a school van this week, a family spokesman said.

Liesel Augis was only six years old when she was raped, beaten unconscious with a brick and thrown into a fire by a family friend in 2006. She survived and became known as "Little Rock" for her resilience.

On Wednesday Liesel's bus driver went around a closed railroad crossing gate and the van was hit by a train. Nine children died at the scene in Cape Town, and a tenth died today. Only the driver and four children survived.

Family spokesman Malvern de Bruyn said today that Liesel had a zest for life, and the accident had left a deep scar in the family and the nation.

Police are investigating a case of homicide against the van driver.