Freak Accident Kills One, Injure Another

A freak accident killed a man this morning and left another in a serious condition.

Four men travelled on the back of a blue bakkie down North Boulevard in Bruma when the incident occurred. It is believed that two men were standing on the back of a bakkie when the bakkie travelled underneath a 2.1 meter height restriction sign. A cross bar enforcing the height restriction collided with the two men standing, killing one of them instantly. The man that was killed sustained major injuries to his head and face. His fellow occupant who was standing next to him at the time, was also hit by the cross bar. He sustained serious injuries to his head and was transported per ambulance to the Bedford Garden Hospital.

Two other occupants - who was also on the bakkie at the time - was sitting when the incident occurred. They did not sustain any injuries, but were clearly traumatized by the event. The driver of the bakkie - believed to be the deceased's brother was also in shock and treated on the scene. The man was declared dead by Netcare.

All of the remaining occupants were transported to hospital where they will receive trauma counselling and further medical assistance.

According to a bystander on the scene, all of the occupants work at the East Gate Shopping Centre and is doing contract work.

The exact cause for the accident is not clear. The Johannesburg Metro Police's Accident Investigation Department will investigate the accident. The SAPS opened a docket on the scene.

At the time, it was not clear if the two standing occupants were standing on the side of the bakkie or physically inside the load compartment when they were hit.

The driver of the bakkie only realized what had happened a few metres down the road and pulled onto the side of the pavement.

Paramedics and Rescue Services were immediately contacted to assist. ER24 and Netcare attended to the scene.