Malawian Knocked Down by Taxi

A 25 year Malawian national was knocked down by a passing taxi on Cedar road outside the Sasol Garage, yesterday morning,

According to friends of the pedestrian, they were waiting next to the road to cross when he (the patient) was knocked by a taxi.

The 25 year old sustained major head and pelvic injuries. He was stabilized on scene, but had to be airlifted from the Fourways Life Hospital to the Johannesburg General Hospital. (Suitable and safe landing zone for helicopter)

Paramedics from ER24 and Fourways Life Healthcare called the helicopter for quick evacuation of the patient to the hospital.

At this stage it is unknown who was at fault at the time of the accident. The taxi was apparently on its way to Zevenfontein informal settlement to collect passenger. The driver was uninjured in this collision.

The pedestrian was found several metres from the side of the road.

Peak Hour Chaos on N1

Yesterday morning the N1 between Hans Strijdom and William Nicol was slower than usual during peak hour.

ER24 EMS attended to three accidents on the N1 (direction north) between Hans Strijdom and William Nicol off-ramps.

At approximately 08h15 three vehicles collided with each other and caused a complete blockage of the slow and emergency lanes. A female driver sustained minor injuries and was assessed by paramedics on scene. Fortunately no other injuries occurred in this accident.

Shortly after, another accident occurred. This time a 25 year old male is in a serious condition after his motorbike collided with a BMW. The rider was thrown onto the highway and came to a landing in the middle lane. When paramedics arrived on scene, only a bystander's emergency triangle was keeping the young man safe from other vehicles on the highway.

The rider sustained multiple lacerations and abrasions on his body. He was stabilized and then immobilised on scene and transported in a stable condition to the Life Fourways Hospital.

The driver of the BMW sustained no injuries.

Only the slow lane was open for commuters in a northern direction.

After the motorbike accident, a vehicle crashed down the embankment just after Hans Strijdom. Paramedics attended to to occupants on the scene, but both refused hospital transportation. The cause for this accident is not known.

Again, traffic was brought to a halt due to curious on-lookers. All the accidents occurred in the northern direction of the highway.

Driver dies in Crash

At approximately 01h15 this morning we attended to yet another fatality this weekend. In this accident, a 37 year old male was killed after his car overturned several times.

It appears that the man (driver) was thrown from the vehicle and suffered severe head injuries. He was declared dead on scene by ER24 paramedics. Another male (passenger) also sustained head injuries and was transported by Provincial Services to a nearby hospital.

According to the passenger of the vehicle, they were traveling on Dobsonville Road in the direction of Main Reef Road when the accident occurred. It appears that the driver lost control over his vehicle and the vehicle then collided with a lamppost on the opposite side of the road. The vehicle landed on the opposite side of the road in the side ditch. The road was not closed or obstructed.

The definite cause of the accident is unknown. The passenger did not state where they were headed before the accident.

Whilst paramedics were on scene assisting the passenger, the deceased's wife arrived on scene. She was severely traumatised and paramedics attended to her on scene.

Seven injured - Driver Missing

Seven people were injured in a crash on the corners of Kilburn and Mouton Streets in Horison View, Roodepoort. The accident occurred at approximately 22h22.

According to an eyewitness on scene a security vehicle (Top Security) and a silver VW Jetta collided in the intersection. According to the witness the Jetta was traveling on Mouton Street in the direction of Ontdekkers and turned in front of the security vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction at the time.

The security vehicle then allegedly collide with the passenger side of the Jetta and pushed the vehicle into a nearby cement dustbin.

Due to a joint effort between ER24, Netcare and Florida Park Fire Station all the patients were quickly stabilised and transported to various nearby hospitals.

Four people from Top Security were in the vehicle. Three of the occupants sustained multiple injuries and was transported by ambulance. The driver escaped with only minor injuries, his passengers were found outside of the vehicle when paramedics arrived. They were allegedly on their way to a nearby security site.

Three people in the Jetta sustained serious injuries and had to be cut from the car with the Jaws-of-Life and Hydraulic equipment. The driver of the Jetta sustained severe chest injuries and was found outside the vehicle when paramedics arrived. Paramedics assessed the driver and turned around to assess the other critical patients that was entrapped in the car. When paramedics returned to the driver, it was noticed that he had fled the scene. Metro Police questioned the family, but could not establish his whereabouts.

All of them sustained multiple injuries and possible fractures.

Vehicle overturns into oncoming traffic

Last night at approximately 21h20 a silver VW Jetta overturned on the N1 highway between Hans Strijdom and William Nicol Drives.

According to a provincial paramedic, who was traveling behind the Jetta at the time, [they both were traveling on the highway in a southern direction]. According to him the Jetta suddenly swerved and rolled in front of his vehicle into oncoming traffic.

When paramedics assessed the situation, they found two males entrapped in the vehicle that was still lying on its side in the middle of the highway.

Sandton Fire Department had to use the Jaws-of-Life to cut of the roof of the vehicle to free the two occupants. One of the occupants were outside of the vehicle when paramedics arrived. He sustained minor injuries, and was walking around on scene. Only one of the occupants were transported per ambulance to the Sunninghill hospital. He sustained several injuries and require further medical attention.

The other two occupants were assessed on scene, but they refused hospital transportation.

The highway's fast and middle lane was closed for the duration of the rescue.

Mercedez plunges into river

Yesterday afternoon the driver of a Mercedes allegedly lost control whilst traveling on Homestead near Main Road in Edenvale. The Mercedes plunged through a palisade fence on the side of the road and fell several metres down an embankment.

The car came to a standstill against one of the bridge pillars in the river.

Paramedics arrived on scene and found a rather confused man on top of the embankment. The driver - believed to be in his 30's - climbed up the embankment and waited for paramedics on the top. Fortunately he only sustained minor injuries to his left arm and a minor headache.

Due to the severe mechanism of the accident, paramedics immobilised the patient on scene and transported him to the Bedford Gardens Clinic.

According to the man, he was driving on the road when he lost control over the vehicle on the wet road. There were no other vehicles involved.

Entertainer dies in crash

A 58 year old entertainer has died in a horror car crash this afternoon on the corners of Pierre and Alec Streets in Honeydew. The 58 year old man was allegedly on his way to a kids party close by when he was involved in this accident.

The entertainer's white Uno and a Silver Mazda Etude collided in the intersection at about 14h45. Both of the vehicles were flung to the opposite side of the road and landed in a trench next to the road.

The Uno, which was traveling on Pierre Street away from Honeydew when the two vehicles collided with each other. Toys and miniature cars were scattered over the road. It is believed that they were flung from the trailer which the Uno was towing at the time.

When paramedics arrived on scene we found the young male driver of the Mazda walking around on scene. He was assessed by paramedics. It appears that he suffered only minor injuries. He was clearly in a lot of shock after the accident.

Paramedics found the 58 year old man still hanging from his overtunred vehicle by his seat belt. His body was mangled inside the Uno and had to be cut out. The fire department had to use the Jaws-of-Life to free his body from the mangled wreck.

Their was nothing that paramedics could do to save his life. It is believed that he died on impact.

A Trauma Councillor of Honeydew Police Station provided much needed assistance to the deceased man's fiance. She was contacted by the councillor to inform her about the accident and assisted her with everything.

Johannesburg Metro Police investigated the accident. The intersection was closed of for the duration of the incident.

"The Bends" Again!

Yesterday at approximately 12h00 another accident occurred in the bends.

Three vehicles collided with each other after one vehicle traveling towards Commando Road allegedly lost control. A corolla apparently lost control and a Tazz, traveling in the opposite direction, tried to swerve and avoid a collision. The two vehicles collided and a third vehicle plowed into the corolla (Travelling towards the N1 highway)

A four year old boy, who was sitting in the back of the Tazz, sustained minor injuries and was transported by ER24 ambulance to Flora Clinic for further management. The boy's mother and grandmother was also treated on scene by paramedics.

Two other people, from the other vehicles, were treated on scene by paramedics. Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this collision.

The "bends" on Maraisburg have claimed numerous accidents.

The stretch on Maraisburg Road between the cemeteries constantly claims accidents, especially in wet weather.

Millions of Damage in Lifestyle Blaze

On 12 March 2007 at approximately midnight, one of ER24's ambulances came across a structural fire when doing patrols in the Randpark Ridge area. The paramedics noticed flames from the building at the Life Style Centre on the corners of Beyers Naude and Ysterhout. The dispatch centre was immediately notified to inform the JHB Fire Department.

Within minutes the fire department arrived on scene. ER24 based three vehicles on scene ti ensure safety and treatment of injured firefighters. Three firefighters have been treated for slight smoke inhalation. They are all doing fine, but was assessed at intervals.

At 03h30 the firefighters were still busy on the scene. ER24 sponsored the firemen with much needed cold drinks from a nearby garage.

ER24 and NetCare remained on the scene to assist the somewhat [30] firefighters on scene if they needed medical attention.

Bystander to the Rescue

A man believed to be in his late 30's is in a critical condition when he was involved in a serious head-on collision on Beyers Naude this evening. A Chrysler Neon and a Toyota Land Cruiser collided head on at approximately 21h20 on the Beyers Naude drive outside the African-Asian Experience Restaurant.

The Neon Chrysler burst into flames coming from the bonnet. A bystander who was eating at the restaurant at the time said that he heard a loud crash and saw the flames when they looked towards the road. According to him, he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the restaurant and used another from his car. He rushed himself towards the scene and extinguished the fire.

Fire fighters from Huntershill fire department struggled for almost an hour to free the entrapped man from his mangled wreckage. They had to use the jaws-of-life and hydraulic equipment on scene. The man sustained severe injuries and possibly multiple fractures to his legs and arms. Paramedics had to treat the man whilst he was still entrapped in the vehicle to ensure the best possible outcome.

The man was treated on scene by NetCare and ER24 paramedics. He was then transported by NetCare, after the rescue and stabilization, to the Olivedale Clinic.
Paramedics from ER24 assessed the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The 39 year old male driver from the Land Cruiser was allegedly on his way home from a work meeting when the collision occurred. He fortunately sustained minor injuries, but was advised to go to hospital for a thorough examination.
It is not clear at this stage why the two vehicles collided head-on and who was at fault. The incident will be reported and investigated by the relavent authorities.

Heavy Downpour in Durban

Durban and surrounding areas experienced an unexpected downpour last night just after 9pm. Heavy rains bucketed down over Durban causing flash flooding to take place on all major routes in and around Durban, turning them into rivers of water. Heavy winds blew tiles off roofs, caused trees to fall across roadways and garden furniture, children’s trampolines, pot plants and bicycles to be blown over walls and into the streets. Lightening continued to light up the night sky turning the night into day. Several buildings were struck by lightening during the heavy storm, which continued for over 2 hours.

Motorists were cautioned to stay off of the roads as far as possible however police and paramedics still had their hands full dealing with a marked increase in the number of road accidents. Fortunately nobody was killed however a number of people were taken to various hospitals in and around the city by ambulance. To add to the workload, the EMRS (provincial ambulance) control centre’s telephone lines were affected by the storm, causing an influx of calls to the ER24 dispatch centre inmDurban. Paramedics and ambulances were racing all over the greater metropolitan region.

Paramedics who brought their patients to Addington hospital found the entrance to the trauma unit flooded with both water and a multitude of homeless people who sought shelter at the hospital. Paramedics wheeled their stretchers through the water and walking patients were carried by paramedics through the puddle which was deeper than their boots. ER24 paramedic Derrick Banks is seen carrying an ill patient into the trauma unit. One man, Ivor Truebig, who is wheelchair bound, normally lives on the island just outside Addington hospital, but was forced to seek refuge at the hospital, and is seen with his wheelchair in the hospital parking area with his worldly belongings with him.

On the M4 Leo Boyd Highway (or whatever it is called now), emergency services were busy pushing downed trees out of the roadway so that motorists did not collide into them. The M4 up at La Mercy experienced severe mud slides, causing dangerous road closures, as motorists could not see the mud in the night. Tow truck operators were kept extremely busy as they assisted accident victims and emergency services to clear cars which had either broken down in the large lakes of water, or had been involved in an accident.

The M4 South going towards Durban International airport was once again flooded across all the lanes and several accidents occurred as motorists aquaplaned across the deep water. It is only a matter of time before someone gets killed along this stretch as a result of aquaplaning. Paramedics have highlighted this area as an accident hotspot time and again, and asked that the drainage system be looked at. This seems to have fallen on deaf ears with Durban City Management.

In one accident, 4 security guards were injured when their vehicle slid into a large truck at the corners of North Coast and Sea Cow Lake roads. One person was seriously injured and placed on a drip at the scene and another 3 people sustained minor injuries in the accident. Durban Metro Police attended the scene.

Durban’s beachfront was also flooded on the lower Marine promenade and a spectacular lightening display could be seen miles out to sea. Shops in the city centre (West Street, Smith Street and Victoria embankment) were flooded as the water levels rose above the pavement, carrying the manhole covers with them as water rose up out of the drainage systems.

Bus Crash leads to injured Medic and Tow Trucker

Yesterday morning at approximately 0740 ER24 received an emergency call for a serious bus accident in Newlands. ER24 responded to the emergency call on the corners of Main and Oosthuizen in Newlands.

En route to the original incident, a second emergency call was reported, not far from from the Oosthuizen Street collision. It is believed that a towing service from the area was also responding to the bus accident and another accident occurred. A private towing vehicle and a white VW Polo collided with each other on the corners of 11th and Du Preez Streets, also in Newlands. According to bystanders the two vehicles collided with each other in the intersection and both vehicles were spun out of the intersection after the collision. Two people have sustained minor injuries and was assessed by paramedics on scene. Both of the occupants declined hospital transportation.

Whilst on the scene of the second accident, the most feared emergency call was reported to ER24. One of our ambulances was involved in a collision on 14th Avenue in Florida. It was determined that the ambulance was also one of the ambulances making its way to the bus accident. According to an eyewitness on scene, two ambulances entered the intersection with their sirens wailing and a black Citi Golf allegedly collided with the ambulance in the intersection. A female driver of the Citi Golf sustained minor injuries and was immediately assessed by the paramedics on scene. She was transported with another ER24 ambulance to the Flora Clinic. The passenger in the Citi Golf sustained no injuries, but was also assessed.
An ER24 paramedic is also being treated at the Flora Clinic for minor injuries.

Another vehicle was dispatched to the Oostuizen and Main Street bus accident. On arrival paramedics found that a taxi and a bus collided with each other in the intersection. The driver and passenger of the taxi was treated on scene and transported to the Helen Joseph Hospital. The passenger sustained chest injuries and is in a stable condition in Helen Joseph. The bus driver was uninjured in the accident. It is unclear if the bus or taxi had any occupants when the collision occurred.

The accident involving the Ambulance will be investigated. It is unclear how to bus accident occurred. No bystanders could supply any information of the bus accident.

Vehicle Overturns in Morningside Manor

According to an eyewitness on scene, a green Opel collided with the side of a white Mercedez Minibus. The Mercedez overturned on impact and landed on its side. The Opel was traveling on Bowling road towards Sunninghill and the Minibus was crossing the intersection of Blackford Street.

The driver of the Mercedez climbed out of the vehicle with the help of bystanders. He sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene. He was then transported per ambulance through to the Sunninghill Hospital for further medical management. According to the driver, he was on his way to his work after he came from a site. He is working for a real estate company.

The driver of the Opel was also injured in the crash. He sustained injuries to his arm and head during the crash. Paramedics stabilized him on scene and transported him to the Morningside Medi Clinic for further management. It is unknown where the gentleman was traveling to when the incident occurred.

The intersection was chaotic with the vehicles standing in the middle of it. Everyone slowed down to have a look at the vehicle lying on its side in the middle of the intersection.

Vehicle Overturns in Peak Hour

Yesterday afternoon in peak hour traffic, yet another vehicle overturned. A blue Audi and a blue Ford Fiesta collided with each other in the intersection of Main Road and Lonehill Boulevard.

According to bystanders and witnesses, the two vehicles entered the intersection simultaneously and collided. When the vehicles collided, the Ford Fiesta overturned and appeared to have spun back in the opposite direction and came to a stand still on its roof next to the Audi.

The male driver of the Audi sustained minor injuries to his face and arms, possibly caused by the his safety belt. The 20 year old female from the Ford Fiesta, crawled out of the car and was found by paramedics next to the sidewalk. Off duty paramedics, who stay on the corner where the accident occurred, said they heard the crash and rushed themselves over to the intersection.

According to the off duty paramedics, accidents are so common on that corner that they have learnt the sound of cars crashing off by heart and always go and investigate if they hear something.

The paramedics treated the injured lady next to the road and handed the patient over to ER24 upon arrival. Within approximately five minutes of the accident, ambulances arrived on scene.

The lady sustained possible neck and head injuries. She was stabilized on scene and transported in a stable condition to the Life Fourways Hospital for further medical management. She was in severe shock on scene.

The intersection was closed for traffic traveling in the direction of Kyalami and from Lonehill Boulevard in the direction of Paulshof.

Pedestrian Resuscitated in Modderfontein

At approximately 20h10 paramedics responded to an emergency call on the corners of Modderfontein Road and Laurie Street in Modderfontein.

A pedestrian believed to be in his 70's was knocked down by a black Citi Golf. The pedestrian sustained massive injuries. He sustained multiple fractures to both his arms and legs, he also sustained a severe head injury.

Due to his critical condition, it was decided by paramedics on scene to evacuate the patient to the nearest hospital via a helicopter.

Minutes after the helicopter landed on scene, the patient's condition deteriorated quickly. Whilst trying to further stabilize the patient, his heart suddenly stopped. Doctors and paramedics on scene tried to resuscitate the old man. They used cardiac defibrillators to shock his heart and advanced life support procedures, but could not do anything to save his life.

Sadly he was declared dead by emergency personnel at approximately 21h20. His body sustained major injuries when the vehicle collided with him, it would have been a miracle for him to have survived.

The driver of the Citi Golf sustained minor abrasions on his arm. He had two male passengers at the time of the accident in his vehicle. They have not sustained any injuries in this accident.

Dog Attacks Owner

A 56 year male is in a critical condition after his dogs (bull terriers) allegedly attacked him on his farm in Vereeniging. The man explained to paramedics that his two dogs started fighting and he tried to intervene.

One of the dogs then allegedly turned on him and started biting him and the second one then followed in the attack. It is unknown why the dogs initially started fighting.

The man's flesh was ripped from his body by the dogs. He sustained severe injuries to his head and both his arms. The bones and muscles were visible through the wounds when the paramedics arrived. They had to cover the wounds and use extreme care when they tried to stabilized him on scene.

The patient's family said that they have shot both of the dogs after the incident. The dogs was not seen by any of the medics on scene and could not be confirmed if they were indeed shot.

The 56 year old man was transported to the Union Hopital where he will be receiving specialist care for his disfigured body.

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Good Idea: Pull over next to the road when you have a fist fight in the car to avoid an accident.

Bad Idea: Pull over and carry on with the fist fight on an accident scene where Metro Police has the overhand.

Whilst attending to patients that were injured in a previous the car crash, a white vehicle suddenly drove into the cordoned off area and about three males jumped out of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle ran over to the passenger side and started hitting one of his passengers. The other passenger joined in and a huge fight broke loose on the scene.

Unlucky for them, Metro Police saw what happened and ran towards the fighting crew. At this moment one of the passengers tried to jump off the M2 bridge at Mooi Street. A Metro officer grabbed him and pushed him down to the ground. The other two occupants were still fighting.

Metro had to use force to get the clang apart. A Metro officer noticed that the occupants were possibly under the influence of something and decided to remove them from scene.

This fight caused a further disruption of traffic and a waste of resources on the scene. The Metro Police officers on scene can be praised for their quick action and the manner they dealt with the incident. Fortunately no injuries were reported.

Driver Rescued from Wreck

The Magoebas Kloof Highway between Polokwane and Tzaneen was closed yesterday evening at approximately 22h25 when a BMW and a Nissan bakkie collided head on in one of the bends.

Five people have been seriously injured. Fire and Rescue Services had to use the jaws-of-life and rescue equipment to free the critical BMW driver from his wreck. It took more than 45 minutes to cut him out. Some of the other occupants were flung from the vehicles and it is unclear how many occupants were traveling in which vehicle at the time.

It appears that the BMW misjudged the bend on the highway and veered into oncoming traffic before colliding head on with the bakkie. Debris were scattered over the highway. The highway had to be closed for more than two hours to rescue the patients and clean up the area.

The patients were all transported by Netcare and Provincial Services. It is unclear at this stage where the vehicles were traveling to.

Shooting at Lingerie Store

Yesterday morning at approximately 11h00, ER24 paramedics raced out to an armed robbery at the corners of Grey and Victoria street in the Durban City Centre. A lingerie store had been robbed & a shootout had ensued between the robbers and store security guards.

On arrival paramedics found one male who had sustained a gunshot wound to his head. He was lying in the shop critically injured and Advanced Life Support paramedics spent over 40 minutes stabilising the man who was placed on a ventilator and a drip at the scene. It is alleged that this male was one of a group of six males who attempted to rob the shop and he was hit in the cross fire. He was stabilized and transported through to Addington hospital in a critical condition under police guard.

His colleagues made their getaway empty handed and left this man to die.

SAPS attended the scene and are investigating the case.

Cops Meet by Accident

According to a Metro Police Officer on scene, they pulled over a white Toyota Corolla whilst the driver allegedly operated his cellphone. The Metro Police vehicle and the vehicle they pulled over were in the the emergency lane of the highway when an off duty Metro Police officer collided into the back of the Metro Police vehicle.

At this stage it is unclear why he collided with the state vehicle. The two Metro Police Officers sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Sunninghill Hospital. The off duty Metro Officer also sustained minor injuries and was also transported to Sunninghill. His passenger was assessed by paramedics on scene.

Truck Plunges 70 Metres

At approximately 00h00 on 6 March 2007 paramedics were faced with a daring attempt to resuscitate a patient who crashed his truck on the N1 between Maraisburg and Randshow Road, SOUTH.

When paramedics arrived on scene they found a man believed to be in his late 20's. Provincial EMS was busy talking and attending to him. The man said he is not feeling well. The man was talking to paramedics on scene and suddenly collapsed. Paramedics from ER24 and Provincial EMS immediately started CPR on the man.

After an exhausting attempt, the man showed no life signs and was declared dead on scene. He most probably sustained severe internal injuries. Towing services and paramedics were shocked when the man they were talking to moments earlier suddenly had no pulse. They tried everything possible to save his life.

It appeared that the truck was travelling on the highway in a southern direction when he veered off the road and plummeted somewhat 70 metres down a cliff into a mine dump. The small truck he was driving showed severe mechanism and damages. It is unclear if the man climbed out of his truck after the accident or fell out.

Paramedics had to climb down the cliff to attend to the patient. The ground was very powdery and made it difficult to access the patient.

Towing personal of A1 Towing found the accident whilst doing patrol on the highway.
Metro Police will conduct an investigation.

First Fatality and Still Climbing

A car accident occurs when a vehicle traveling in a destine path change from it's pathway into another vehicle, ditch, pole, animal, another human being or anything that causes damage to a car.

In 2004 it was reported that car accidents kill almost 1.2 million people worldwide every year.

Everyday we are commonly using the word "car accident" when one or more vehicles collide with something, but almost 90% of these so called "accidents" are related to driver negligence.

General statistics show that the average person has a 6-8% chance of death in a two car collision. It appears that more vehicle rollovers occur when a single vehicle is involved. Bigger vehicles rollover more easily and has a greater chance of causing a fatality.

Mary Ward died on 31 August 1869 when she fell under a steam driven car in Ireland. She was the first fatality ever reported caused by a motor vehicle. The first person who died in an accident with a petrol driven car was Bridget Driscoll in 1896. She was a pedestrian at the time of the crash. On 25 February 1899 the first driver and passenger died in an accident when the rear wheel gave way and the driver collided with a brick wall.

Did you know that the Bethlehem bus crash on 1 May 2003 is the crash with the third highest fatality rate of 80 in the world? The second highest is the Lagos tanker disaster in 2000 with 100-200 fatalities and the highest in the world is the Salang tunnel fire with almost 2000 fatalities. The Bethlehem bus crash claimed 38 more lives than the Westdene bus crash. This month it is 20 years ago that the Westdene dam claimed 42 lives of children.

Unfortunately accident car accidents are a reality and will haunt us everyday of our lives. "It will never happen to me…" That's what they all say. Our country is changing, our lives are changing and most important the power of our vehicles is changing. Yet, people are reluctant to change. People don't take the necessary precaution anymore to make safety a number one priority on the road. Its "put foot" from the moment go.

Most of the accidents on our roads are preventable. Most of the accidents we attend to also include very young drivers. Some of them are inexperienced and "dicey". People have the tendency to show what they've got and sometimes pure pressure.

Drivers should take extra caution on the roads and think, not only for yourself, but for those around you.

On Time for Brain Surgery

This morning at 10h30 a member from the JMPD's Accident Investigation Unit came across a motor vehicle accident on the M1 highway after the 11th Avenue off ramp. Three vehicles collided into the back of each other. No one was injured, but the cars couldn't drive any further.

A family of three in a red corolla sustained severe damage to the rear of their vehicle and had to be towed. The Metro Officer quickly learned that the family were on their way from Potchefstroom to Pretoria's Little Company of Mary Hospital for an emergency brain surgery. One of the occupants of the vehicle was scheduled for a brain surgery at 11h00 in the Pretoria Hospital.

ER24 agreed to transport the patient with Metro Police escort through to the Little Company Of Mary Hospital. The family with all their belongings, were quickly loaded into the vehicles. Metro Police cleared the free way and ER24's ambulance, along with their rapid response unit rushed the patient off to Pretoria.

In the meanwhile, ER24's control room notified the hospital of the patient's ordeal and vehicles from Pretoria were placed on standby next to the N1 highway. The Johannesburg vehicles met up with the co-ordinated vehicles from Pretoria and quickly got the patient to the hospital.

Due to excellent team work and communication the patient was booked in and ready for preparation at 11h10. Fortunately none of the occupants sustained any injuries, but were also assessed en route to the hospital in Pretoria.

This is not a usual standard of operation, but could have changed the outcome between life and death.

Good luck and all the best to the family involved. ER24 Johannesburg and Pretoria along with Johannesburg Metro Police wishes you a speedy recovery.

17 Injured in Overturned Taxi

A dark coloured taxi and a white bakkie was travelling on the R59 when the taxi allegedly bumped into the bakkie. Both of the vehicles then overturned and came to a standstill a distance from each other. The taxi rolled over and landed on its wheels in the middle island of the highway. The bakkie also rolled over and landed on it's roof into the fast lane of the highway. The bakkie's canopy was lying next to it.

17 people, including the driver of the taxi were injured in the accident. 16 of the passengers were transported to the Natalspruit hospital by various ambulance services. One person had a medical aid and was transported in a stable condition to the Union Hospital. According to paramedics on scene, most of the patients were ejected from the rolling taxi. They have all sustained multiple injuries. All of the patients were stable on scene.

The driver of the white bakkie was uninjured and declined hospital transportation. He was assessed by paramedics on scene.

It is unknown why the taxi collided with the bakkie or what caused the roll overs. Ekhuruleni Metro Police attended the scene. A joint effort between numerous private and government services made transportation and treatment possible of all the patients.

Traffic was backed up in the direction of Vereeniging until the road was cleared of the overturned bakkie. Only one lane was open for the late night commuters.

Pedestrian killed on N1

A male pedestrian, believed to be in his early 30's was killed at approximately 20h03 this evening. A male driver of a black Audi collided with the pedestrian in the far left lane between the Rivonia and Buccleuch Interchange in a southern direction.

According to the driver of the Audi the pedestrian ran across the highway. He also mentioned that he tried to avoid hitting the pedestrian, but collided with him. The pedestrian collided with the middle front of the vehicle.

The pedestrian sustained multiple lacerations to his stomach and abrasions to his body. It is suspected that he died of massive internal injuries.

The driver of the Audi did not sustain any injuries and declined medical transportation from scene, however he was assessed by paramedics.

Cyclist Airlifted after Accident

A male cyclist has been knocked this morning at the intersection of Maxwell and Old Pretoria Main Road in Buccleuch. This incident occurred at approximately 06h20 this morning.

The unknown cyclist was traveling on Old Pretoria Main road in the direction of Sandton when a white Hi-Ace Taxi collided from behind with the cyclist. According to the taxi driver he entered the controlled intersection and the he collided with the cyclist. He did not state why or how it happened.

The cyclist's bike was dragged underneath the taxi for a distance and lodged itself under the taxi. The cyclist was found next to the intersection. He presented with severe injuries and may have suffered multiple internal and head injuries. The age of the cyclist is unknown.

Paramedics from numerous services dedicated their expertise and knowledge to save the man's life. Due to his extend of his injuries he was airlifted by helicopter to the Johannesburg General Hospital.

The road and intersection was closed for the duration of the medical evacuation.

14th Avenue Strikes Again

The notorious 14th avenue claimed yet again a serious accident this morning.

This morning at approximately 07h05 a bakkie carrying four occupants overturned on the N1 just before the 14th Avenue off ramp. It appeared that the vehicle was travelling on the N1 when it overturned several times.

The white bakkie came to a stand still on its side in the middle island of the highway. Some of the patients were found outside the vehicle.

The driver of the bakkie was entrapped in the vehicle and Florida Park Fire Station had to use the jaws-of-life to extricate the trapped man.

Paramedics from Netcare stabilized the driver and transported him to the Baragwanath Hospital. The other patients were transported by ER24 and Provincial EMS.

The traffic was affected in a northern direction and backed up all the way to Gordon road. At this stage it is not clear where the occupants were travelling to when the incident occurred.

Driver killed by Overturned Truck

On arrival paramedics found a truck lying on its side with bricks scattered to the side of it. Paramedics quickly learned that the 33 year old driver was still pinned partially underneath the truck. When paramedics investigated they found that the driver was deceased.

The driver of the truck was declared dead by ER24 and Life Healthcare Fourways paramedics. The man was still assessed after extrication for any signs of life. He sustained multiple injuries, most of them believed to be internal as he was crushed under the truck.

The Johannesburg Fire Department utilised heavy rescue equipment to free the body from the wreck and stabilize the truck for safety.

The driver was pinned in the truck for more than two hours, before he was extricated.

The owners of the transport company informed ER24 that there is suppose to be a co-driver with him in the truck. Paramedics form ER24 and Life Healthcare Fourways searched the area for the missing co-driver, but could not locate anyone. At the time when the body was removed the owners of the company could still not determine where the co-driver was and why he wasn't on the truck or no where to be found.

According to the one of the owners of the transport company, the driver knows the road as he drives it every day numerous times to deliver bricks to the estate.

It appears that the truck driver lost control over his truck when he went around a bend in the road.

Children from the St. Angsgers school in Lanseria was waiting for their school bus during the heavy rescue. Some of the kids were shocked that something so "big" could just fall over.

SAPS and JMPD investigated the accident.

Truck plummets 70 metres

At approximately 00h00 on 6 March 2007 paramedics were faced with a daring attempt to resuscitate a patient who crashed his truck on the N1 between Maraisburg and Randshow Road, SOUTH.

When paramedics arrived on scene they found a man believed to be in his late 20's. Provincial EMS was busy talking and attending to him. The man said he is not feeling well. The man was talking to paramedics on scene and suddenly collapsed. Paramedics from ER24 and Provincial EMS immediately started CPR on the man.

After an exhausting attempt, the man showed no life signs and was declared dead on scene. He most probably sustained severe internal injuries. Towing services and paramedics were shocked when the man they were talking to moments earlier suddenly had no pulse. They tried everything possible to save his life.

It appeared that the truck was travelling on the highway in a southern direction when he veered off the road and plummeted somewhat 70 metres down a cliff into a mine dump. The small truck he was driving showed severe mechanism and damages. It is unclear if the man climbed out of his truck after the accident or fell out.

Paramedics had to climb down the cliff to attend to the patient. The ground was very powdery and made it difficult to access the patient.

Towing personal of A1 Towing found the accident whilst doing patrol on the highway.
Metro Police will conduct an investigation.

Metro Cops Meet by Accident

According to a Metro Police Officer on scene, they pulled over a white Toyota Corolla whilst the driver allegedly operated his cellphone. The Metro Police vehicle and the vehicle they pulled over were in the the emergency lane of the highway when an off duty Metro Police officer collided into the back of the Metro Police vehicle.

At this stage it is unclear why he collided with the state vehicle. The two Metro Police Officers sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Sunninghill Hospital. The off duty Metro Officer also sustained minor injuries and was also transported to Sunninghill. His passenger was assessed by paramedics on scene.

Ambulance makes Gruesome Discovery

Two woman believed to be in their 30's and 40's were killed in what is believed a gruesome hit and run on the Mabopane highway.

An ER24 ambulance was on their way back from a emergency call-out in Akasia when they noticed people flagged them down at the Akasia turn-off robot on the Mabopane Highway at around 10h00.

When paramedics investigated they found two female bodies that was unrecognisable and severely deformed. It appeared that they have been driven over by a passing by vehicle. The one woman's one and arm was ripped off, the other's head was partially amputated.

According to bystanders on scene they have been hit by a taxi early this morning. Paramedics could not confirm the allegation and the police are questioning them regarding the information.

Paramedics declared them both dead on scene and police will investigate the incident. The police found a number plate on scene and might link it to the vehicle.

The two bodies were found next to the highway in the direction of DF Malan road.

At this stage it is unclear when exactly this incident took place, as the bodies appeared that they were completely bled out when paramedics arrived.

It is a gruesome sight and people flocked to the scene when they got word of the incident to try and identify the women.

Police have cordoned off the area and questioning people on scene.

Multiple Pedestrian Accidents

Beyers Naude and Chaplain, Randpark Ridge (19h20)

A 24 year old security guard is in a critical condition when he sustained multiple fractures when a Ford Fiesta collided with him when he closed a security boom in Chaplain Road. According to the driver of the Ford Fiesta he was entering the security area and the boom was open. The security guard, however, closed the boom. The driver of the Fiesta said he could not stop in time and collided with the security guard and the boom. The driver (32) sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene. The security guard was transported in a critical condition to Olivedale hospital.

Long and 8th , De La Rey (19h30)

A 42 year old male sustained sever throat injuries when he ran across Long Street and was hit by a passing car. The pedestrian fell through the windscreen of the car and sustained multiple cuts. He was rushed to the Helen Joseph Hospital for further medical management.

William Nicol at Dieplsoot Gate 2 (21h00)

A pedestrian was injured on the corners of the Diepsloot entrance when a car turned into the intersection and collided with the pedestrian. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.

William Nicol Fourways Boulevard (20h51)

A male in his forties limbs was almost partially ripped from his body when a black new VW beetle collided with him on William Nicol. According to a bystander, the pedestrian ran across the road and was the hit by the car. He sustained massive head injuries and Advanced Life Support Measures had to be taken to stabilize him on scene. He had multiple and severe fractures to his limbs and no pulses. He was rushed to the Johannesburg General Hospital for further medical management.
ER24, Life EMS, NetCare and Provincial EMS assisted in the difficult stabilization process.

Chaos on N1 - Midrand

The N1 North and South between New Road and Allandale was chaos this evening when four separate accidents occurred within a 500 meter stretch from each other. A total of 12 patients were injured in these accidents, including a nine year old boy.

Primary Accident (19h45)
The first accident occurred on the N1 north before the New Road turn off at approximately 19h45. A white bakkie overturned and five people were seriously injured in the collision. According to one of the patients, they were on their way home in Olifantsfontein after they attended a funeral in Johannesburg. The vehicle overturned after it allegedly swerved for another vehicle. People and catering equipment were scattered over the highway.

All of the patients were treated on scene mostly for head injuries and transported to a nearby hospital.

Secondary Accident (20h00)
A second accident occurred in the southern direction of the highway, directly opposite of the original overturned bakkie. Whilst paramedics were busy on the scene, a silver car crashed into a vehicle that was slowing down to look at the accident on the opposite side. The vehicle spun out of control and collided with the cement barrier. ER24 paramedics jumped over the barrier to assess the situation. Two people were injured in this collision and treated for neck and back injuries. They were transported in a stable condition to the Helen Joseph Hospital.

Tertiary Accident (20h10)
A third serious accident occurred on the southern direction at about 20h10. An ER24 vehicle was about to depart the secondary accident and six cars collided into each other, sending them spinning off into the barriers. This accident was caused, yet again, by someone slowing down to have a look at the accident on the opposite side of the road. Four people were injured with sever back and neck injuries in one of the vehicles that was involved. A nine year old boy sustained serious injuries to his left eye and head when he was thrown from the back of a corolla when it collided with one of the vehicles in front of it. The little boy rocketed from the back of the car to the front and was found lying on the back seat in a pool of blood. Fortunately paramedics were on the scene when the collision occurred and could render life saving treatment to all of the patients. They were all transported to various hospitals in the area.

And Another One… (20h51)
A fourth accident occurred whilst paramedics were busy with the third serious accident on the highway. This time two vehicles collided, again rear ended, under the New Road Bridge in the south direction. ER24 paramedics were informed of this accident by the president's convoy that traveled through the incident and came across it. Unfortunately for him, he was also stuck in traffic, and this wasn't even in peak hour. Two people were injured in this accident and transported by ER24 to the Carstenhof Clinic for further stabilization.

Fortunately no other incidents occurred after the fourth one. Paramedics were quickly on the scenes of all of the accidents. JMPD attended to all of the accidents.

Most of the accidents are a result of people not using a safe following distance and slowing down or stop to have a look at the first accident. As a result of this, three accidents followed the first one and could have claimed many lives.

Rescuer to be Rescued

Ravyn Siccardi, a paramedic from ER24, was travelling on the highway in the fast lane when she was involved in a serious accident. Her vehicle collided with a silver Mercedes in the fast lane and the two vehicles spun off in different directions after impact. Ravyn and her brother (John) was on their way home when the accident occurred.

The impact was so great that she pushed through the airbags and collided with the windscreen of the vehicle and causing it to brake. She sustained serious shoulder, chest and arm injuries. Paramedics from Johannesburg Fire Department were first on scene to assist. ER24 paramedics then transported her in her "own ambulance" which she use to work on to the Carstenhof Clinic. Ravyn's brother sustained injuries to his hands and arms. He was also transported per ambulance to the Carstenhof Clinic. Ravyn said that this is wrong, this isn't suppose to happen to us (paramedics), we need to help people, they mustn't help us. This time an angel was injured.

Meanwhile Mauro Siccardi, Ravyn's husband, was busy with paramedic training in Roodepoort when he heard about the accident. Mauro is also a full time paramedic with ER24 and assist with paramedic training in his off days. Mauro said that he used to make calls to families regarding accidents, not receiving them.

The male driver of the Mercedes was also assessed on scene and treated by paramedics. He didn't sustain any severe injuries and didn't want to go to hospital. He is also shocked about what had happened.