One killed as two trucks collide

An accident between two trucks left one dead and five injured on the R101 Pyramid this morning.
According to a witness on scene, the two trucks were travelling on the R101 in the direction of Warmbaths when the smaller truck proceeded to travel in the emergency lane. The second truck allegedly tried to overtake the truck and the two trucks collided.

At this stage it is not clear why they have collided. One of the trucks overturned several times and is believed to have rolled over its female occupant that was thrown from the vehicle. When paramedics arrived on scene, the lifeless body of a female - believed to be in her 40's - was still lying in the middle of the road. She was declared dead on scene due to the extend of her injuries.

Two workers that was on the back of the truck at the time was also thrown from the truck. The truck came to a standstill next to the railway line with all its goods scattered over the roadside.

It appears that the occupants of the truck were busy moving house, looking at the type of goods. The male driver - believed to be the decead's husband - sustained serious injuries and was transported along with his two workers to a nearby hospital.

The passenger of the second truck sustained minor injuries along with its driver and was assessed and transported by ER24.

Metro Police and Tshwane Fire Department attended to the scene and will conduct an investigation into the incident.

16 Injured in Chaotic Crash

Yet another accident occurred in Johannesburg where multiple people have been injured. This time a serious accident occurred on the Alandale Road in Midrand outside the Carstenhof Clinic. 16 people have sustained injuries in this collision. Amongst the injured was a 2 year old child and a 12 year old.

ER24's Safety Vehicle was the first to receive the distress call and to arrive on scene. When we arrived on scene, people were lying all over the road. Some of the patients were screaming and some of them were just lying dead still. Bystanders from all directions started screaming to assist each patient. Each bystander tried to explain some or other patient's condition to us.

A quick triage was done to ensure the most critical patients get treated first and receive adequate emergency care. It was quickly established that at least four of the 16 patients sustained critical injuries and had to receive immediate emergency attention. Amongst the four critical was the 12 year old minor.

Most of the patients sustained head and severe body trauma. One of the female patients was lying almost 20 metres from the alleged vehicle which she was travelling in. We found her in the middle of the road lying on her stomach and in excruciating pain. Her left side of her pelvis and upper leg was ripped open due to the major trauma she received.

Paramedics from ER24, NetCare and EMS joined forces and work together as a team to stabilize the critically injured. ER24 dispatched ambulances and paramedics from Johannesburg and Ekhuruleni to assist with the incident.

According to one of the patients, they pulled over next to Allandale Road waiting for friends and family to follow them through to their home in Daveyton Benoni. Whilst they were next to the road, a dark colored Polo allegedly collided with the back of the bakkie. At the time of the impact, several occupants from the back of the bakkie were flung into the road.

The Ford bakkie was then allegedly forced into a black Hyundai Getz where the two year old child was sleeping. Fortunately the child only sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.

A red Polo lost its engine during the impact. The Polo was found several metres down the road with its engine lying a couple of metres from the Ford bakkie. Another car tried to avoid the first collision and rolled into the veldt. Two people have been injured in the car that have rolled and both of the patients were transported to the Carstenhof Clinic.

Four vehicles were wrecked in this collision and sixteen people have had a horrific experience. Due to the amount of patients, they were transported to Johannesburg General Hospital, Tembisa Hospital and The Pretoria Academic Hospital.

Family members of those who waited in the Ford bakkie arrived on scene only to find that their loved ones have been seriously injured. They were calmed and reassured by emergency personnel on the scene.

The whole road was blocked off for almost two hours whilst paramedics and firefighters treated the patients. Metro Police also investigated the incident.

The exact cause for the incident is not yet known and will be determined by the accident investigation unit of Metro Police.

11 Hurt in Taxi Crash

At least 11 people have been injured when the driver of a taxi allegedly lost control and crashed into a bridge barrier and a robot on Grayston Drive this evening.

When paramedics arrived on scene they found the occupants scattered next to the taxi. It is believed that some of the occupants were flung from the taxi and landed in the grass and road on top of the Grayston bridge. The taxi was standing in the middle of the road with severe damage to its roof. It is obvious that the passengers of the taxi are lucky to be alive and that the roof did not cause serious head injuries during the impact.

Most of the patients were treated on scene for head, limb and general body injuries. About six patients sustained more severe injuries and were rushed off to the Johannesburg General Hospital for further medical treatment. All of the other patients - including the driver of the taxi - were treated on scene for their injuries and transported to a nearby hospital.

According to a bystander, the taxi was travelling on the M1 taking the on-ramp to Grayston when it apparently lost control. It appears that the taxi then collided with a barrier on the on-ramp and skidded across the intersection where it collided with the barrier and robot. One of the occupants explained that she could not see the robot and could not confirm if it was working before the accident. When paramedics arrived, the whole intersection's robots were out of order and causing chaos to the intersection on the bridge.

It was truly a team effort between paramedics from ER24, Fourways Life Healthcare and EMS to quickly immobilise and transport the patients to the closest hospital. The minimum time wasted on a scene is always beneficial to an injured patient.

Fortunately no other vehicles collided with the taxi when it skidded across the intersection.

Bakkie Collides with Water Tanker

A man believed to be in his early 40's is in a critical condition after his bakkie allegedly collided semi head-on with a tanker truck on Nasrec road this morning. The tanker truck, which was carrying water at the time, was traveling in the direction of Main Reef and the Ford Cortina was traveling in the opposite direction.

The bakkie collided with the front of the truck and was sent off of the road after the collision. When paramedics arrived on scene the man was still entrapped in the wreckage behind his steering wheel. The Fire Department had to use the Jaws-of-Life to rescue the trapped driver. He was then taken out of the wreckage and stabilized by paramedics on scene. The man sustained severe head, chest and leg trauma. He also suffered a serious partial amputation of his right foot.

After stabilization he was rushed off to the Baragwanath Hospital for further management.

Explosion Rips Through Paint Factory

Paramedics from ER24 and Fire Services are currently on the scene where a massive explosion occurred at the Plascon paint factory in Alberton North.

It is believed that an explosion occurred in the paint building causing serious injuries to at least two of the employees. Both of the employees sustained multiple burn wounds and serious injuries from the explosion.

Everyone was evacuated from the building after the explosion. Paramedics and fire fighters searched the building for more victims, but no one else was found to be injured. Some of the other employees were treated for shock and minor injuries on the scene. The two employees that sustained critical injuries were stabilized on scene and transported to a nearby hospital.

According to paramedics the roof of the building were ripped open during the explosion and the building is almost completely destroyed inside.

Paramedics remain on scene to assist where needed.

It is not clear at this stage what caused the explosion in the factory.

Car blaze Glenwood

DURBAN: At approximately 09:30 on Friday ER24 paramedics came across an Opel Cadet which had caught alight on the corners of Cato and Clark Roads in Glenwood. The middle aged woman driving the vehicle had been traveling towards St Augustine’s Hospital when she was stopped by two ever vigilant car guards who had noticed flames underneath the front wheel arches. The woman, Mrs. I Oosthuizen who quickly jumped out of her car, watched helplessly as ER24 paramedics used hand held fire extinguishers to stifle the blaze. When all extinguishers had been exhausted by paramedics, Metro Fire Fighters attended the scene and quickly put out the flaming car using high pressure hoses. Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, fire fighters on the scene suspect that a combination of bad wiring, as well as the age of the vehicle may have contributed to the blaze.

Paramedics Caught Drunk Driver

While ER24 paramedics were on routine patrols on Argyle Road, a blue Citi Golf sped through a red robot, narrowly missing both the ER24 response vehicle and another car which was passing through the intersection at the time. Paramedics followed the speeding car and watched as it veered all over the road. As the driver of the car was clearly a danger to himself, as well as members of the public, paramedics intervened by parking a response vehicle in his path at the next traffic light while they called for police assistance. In response to this, the driver, who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, slammed his car into reverse and collided with a white golf parked behind him.

Paramedics placed the man under citizen’s arrest and he was detained while paramedics drove his now damaged vehicle, with him on board, to a nearby roadblock situated on the M4 Ruth First highway, before the Broadway turnoff. Upon arriving at the roadblock the young man was convinced to blow into the breathalyser by a large contingent of burly policemen. The intrepid driver blew a remarkable 0.15 (which is three times the legal alcohol limit). He was escorted to the Booze Bus at the road block where blood was drawn immediately to confirm the results. He was arrested by police and detained. He is currently residing at the Durban North police station. It is unlikely that court will be open on the weekend which means that all of those arrested will be sitting in jail until Monday morning.

The road block was coordinated by Metro Police, as well as SAPS and Immigration officials. Also present at the road block was the Minister of Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele. The Minister greeted paramedics with enthusiasm and watched as many passing motorists were arrested for offences varying from driving under the influence to overloading. Mr Cele spent over 4 hours at the road block, assisting police and talking to the public, who generally saw the road block and visible policing in a very positive light. The road block commenced at approximately 20:00 and ended 03:00.

Pictured at the roadblock (from left) Neil Noble (ER24 Operations Manager), Capt Heslop (SAPS Durban North), Bheki Cele (Minister of Safety & Security) & Capt Govender (Metro Police KwaMashu).

Car hits pole & burns while driver runs away

In the early hours of Saturday morning a Citi Golf lost control and collided with a reinforced concrete light pole and thereafter burst into flames. The incident took place in Kennard Rise in Umbilo at approximately 03:30. ER24 paramedics raced to the cul-de-sac and found 3 young men lying on the pavement near the burning wreckage. One youth was in a serious but stable condition with suspected spinal and neck injuries, as well as severe facial trauma. He was transported by ambulance to hospital.

It is the alleged by the uninjured passengers on the scene that the driver, whom they did not know had absconded from the scene and left his car to burn. They claim (ironically) that they had met the young man that evening at “Burn”, a popular Durban Night spot.

Durban Metro fire Fighters controlled the blaze within minutes using flame retardant foam. Metro police insist that a docket of reckless and negligent driving will be opened and the matter would certainly be investigated further. It is clear that the driver was traveling at high speed, as indicated by skid patterns which started a substantial distance from the point of impact. It is a miracle that all survived the accident. The injured passenger is believed to be in a stable condition in St Augustine’s Hospital.

Officials hurt in crash

Three police officials have sustained injuries when their white Mazda Etude overturned several times on the N14 Highway before the R512 (Hans Strijdom) off ramp. One of the officials explained that they were on their way from the Police Training College in Pretoria towards Roodepoort when the accident occurred.

The driver said that he believes that one of the rear tyres apparently suffered a blow-out and he lost control over the vehicle.

The Mazda collided with a tree and a barrier next to the highway and came to a standstill on its roof in the veld. When paramedics arrived on scene, all three of the officials were outside of the vehicle.

Paramedics quickly assessed the officials who fortunately sustained only minor injuries. They were treated on scene, but refused to be transported to hospital.

The South African Police will investigate the accident. No other vehicles were involved and no witnesses could be found on scene.

Suspect killed by Authorities - Results in Accident

Paramedics from ER24 were called to assist with an accident on the corners of Witkoppen and Rivonia after a Corrolla apparently lost control and drove through the fence of a new construction site.

On arrival paramedics quickly learned that the their was a different story to the accident. According to the police and security officials on scene, four people attempted to rob the River Club SPAR earlier the evening. Police and Security officials caught up with the suspects and resulted in a car chase.

It appears that the Corolla lost control and ploughed through the fence of the construction site next to Witkoppen Road. The vehicle travelled through the rubble and ended up almost against the building.

One of the suspects were lying next to the passenger door of the car and was declared dead on scene by ER24 paramedics. Apparently three suspects have fled the scene after the crash and two fire arms have been recovered by the police on scene.

At this stage it is not clear who shot the suspect and when he was shot.

Pedestrian dies in Witkoppen

A 46 year old woman have been killed in a serious car accident on the corners of Witkoppen and Douglas Roads when a silver BMW X5 apparently collided with her. It appears that the woman was crossing the road when the accident occurred.

When paramedics arrived on scene, we found the lifeless body of the woman lying in the fast lane of Witkoppen in the direction of Fourways. The woman sustained multiple fatal injuries. A paramedic from the Fourways Life Healthcare declared the woman dead on the scene. There was nothing paramedics could do to save the womans life.

It appears that she bought food at a shopping centre close-by, as fresh food in a polystyrene holder was lying a couple of metres from her. It is not clear if she was alone or where she was headed before the accident.

Car Rolls Down Embankment

Two ladies have been injured when their car allegedly collided with the side of the barrier on the N1 between William Nicol and Rivonia and rolled down the embankment.

When paramedics arrived we found the white Citroen still on its roof with the two ladies sitting outside of the vehicle. According to the driver of the vehicle they were bumped on the highway by another vehicle whilst traveling in the direction of Roodepoort.

A bystander who was also involved in the accident, explained that a vehicle suddenly swerved in front of him and he tried to avoid colliding with the vehicle. The BMW of the bystander allegedly spun out of control and collided with the side of the the Citroen, possibly causing the driver to lose control.

Paramedics from ER24 and Provincial EMS stabilized the two ladies and carried them out of the ditch where they were loaded into ER24 ambulances. Both of the patients were transported by ER24 ambulances to the Sandton Medi Clinic for further medical management.

Dry Tank Causes Crash

A man was seriously injured in his broken down Uno in the early morning hours on the N1 at the Rabie Bridge.

It is believed that the man's Uno broke down next to the side of the highway when it apparently ran out of petrol. The driver explained that he managed to pull his vehicle in the emergency lane of the N1 in the direction of Pretoria. He then climbed into the passenger front seat of the car waited for a friend to assist him.

Not too long after his vehicle (the Uno) broke down, another white vehicle pulled a couple of metres in front of the Uno. This man had a flat front tyre and pulled over to change over to the spare tyre. Whilst the two vehicles were in the emergency lane, a third vehicle ( Blue Hyundai Elantra ) apparently collided with the back of the Uno. The Uno was crumbled and pushed into the highway. It is believed that the Hyundai then continued to travel and also collided with the man's vehicle who was busy changing his tyre.

The driver of the Elantra absconded the scene before paramedics arrived. His condition or injuries is not known.

When paramedics arrived on scene, the man was at his Uno and in severe pain. He was stabilized on the scene and loaded into the ambulance for transportation. The man was taken to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. It appears that he sustained possible back and neck injuries.

The driver of the vehicle with the flat tyre was fortunate not to have been injured in this bizarre collision.

On scene metro police confirmed they have traced the owner of the Elantra and was being brought back to the scene, however, by the time paramedics departed the scene, the driver was still not on the scene.

Missing Girl (6) found - SAPS

Tammy is the six year old daughter of Nelia Botha. She suffers from Down's Syndrome. This morning at approximately 06h40 she was playing with the cat and followed it through the cat's "door" to the outside.

Little Tammy ended up a couple of blocks from her mother's home in the Moot (Pretoria).

Fortunately the spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Louise Brits, saw this little child on the corners of 14th Avenue and Louis Trichardt. She immediately pulled over and contacted the Wonderboompoort Police Station.

Meanwhile, a distraught mother contacted the police in desperate hope that they would find her daughter. Tammy was taken safely to the Wonderboompoort Police Station where she was reunited with her mom less than an hour later.

Well done to the police and metro police. Indeed another child's life was saved. - supplied

Bizarre Shooting - Kempton Park

A lady has apparently been killed after being wounded in the chest at the BP Garage in Tulbach Road. When paramedics arrived on scene, they found that the lady was already declared dead on scene and told that another person was shot in Pomona Street, not far from the BP Garage.

In Pomona street, paramedics from ER24 found a man - believed to be in his 30's with a gunshot wound to his jaw. The man was still trying to talk and was in a critical condition. According to a bystander the man tried to shoot himself in the head at the BP Garage and ran down the Pomona street after the unsuccessful shot.

A bakkie collided with the man whilst running down the Pomona Road. The man was treated by paramedics on scene and transported in a critical condition to a nearby hospital for further stabilization.

At this stage the relationship between the man and deceased lady at the garage could not be established. Members of the South African Police Service attended to both of the scenes.