Bloemfontein – Bakkie Over Turns Leaving Four Injured.

An accident has taken place on the N1 this evening about 70km outside Bloemfontein in the direction of Cape Town, involving a bakkie and a trailer that had lost control and over turned.

When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene, they found the bakkie lying on its side with two occupants lying about twenty meters away from the vehicle. The third occupant was found lying near the front of the vehicle, while the fourth was found seated on the road side.

The two patients found furthest away from the vehicle were in a critical condition. Both had suffered severe head injuries and needed advanced life support intervention. They were intubated and placed onto a ventilator and stabilised further. The other two occupants were treated for serious neck and back injuries. All four occupants were transported to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic for further medical care.

It is unclear how the driver lost control or why the vehicle rolled but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would be investigating the incident further.

Man's Hand Chopped Off

ER24 paramedics were called to the Sharpville Police Station in Vereeniging for a young man who’s hand had allegedly been cut off by a panga.

It seems that two men had been arguing when a panga was pulled out, and the  twenty one year olds left hand was chopped off at the wrist. The details are still unclear, but the man was taken to the Sharpville Police Station, along with the hand to await emergency medical treatment. Fortunately, the hand was placed on ice, and as paramedics arrived, they began treating the man. He had suffered blood loss and was in a moderate amount of pain. He was given fluid supplements through a drip, and pain medication. The paramedics also made further attempts to preserve the hand.

The ER24 Discovery Medicopter was called in to assist with transporting the man to hospital, so as to increase the chance for reattachment of the hand in surgery. The patient will be airlifted to the Pretoria Academic hospital where surgeons will be waiting to take the man to theater.

Pietermaritzburg - Taxi Accident Leaves One Dead

A child has been killed and six other commuters have sustained serious injuries after a taxi collided into the side of a farmer’s bakkie on the R617 near Underberg this afternoon.

Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and found the taxi lying on its roof near the bakkie that was just a few meters away. The young child was found lying on the road in a pool of blood. Unfortunately, the child was already deceased by the time paramedics arrived on the scene.

The six commuters were found scattered around the scene and all had sustained serious injuries. One patient had sustained a partial amputation to his arm, while the other five had sustained massive abrasions, lacerations and severe fractures.

Advanced Life Support intervention had to be performed on the patients before they were transported to various hospitals in the area for further medical care.

It is unclear what happened in this collision, but the necessary authorities were on the scene to investigate the incident further.

Trench Collapses On Man

The details of the incident are still unclear, but according to ER24 paramedics on scene, the details are as follows:

It seems that an unknown number of men had began digging two parallel trenches around a half a meter apart, approximately two to three meters deep and ten to twenty meters long. It is further believed that they were extracting copper cable from these trenches on a private industry's land in Welkom. As they continued extracting the cable, the middle wall between the two trenches gave way, causing the clay-like mud to collapse inward. 

ER24 paramedics were called to the scene to assist with possible patients, but all they could determine was that there was one man who was almost completely stuck in the mud. All that was visible was a small section of his face, and there was no possibility of removing him from the heavy soil. The local Bronville police force was on the scene, as well as the Welkom Flying Squad. After the middle wall of the trench had collapsed the man's accomplices had run to a nearby police station to alert the officials of the incident. 

Paramedics had to wait on scene for heavy rescue equipment to dig up the heavy soil in order to free the man's body. He is presumed deceased from him injuries. The police will be investigating the incident.

Nature Reserve Truck Overturns

A truck full of workers has overturned within the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. It seems that the driver lost control of the vehicle shortly before 4pm this afternoon, possibly due to mechanical failure, although the exact cause of the accident is still uncertain and will need to be investigated by the necessary authorities. It is further believed that the truck was travelling down a tar road in the Reserve, coming around a bend toward a T-Junction where he would have turned right to go towards the exit. The truck then collided with a curb, causing it to overturn onto its side. 

The truck is believed to have been returning the occupants to their homes after a days work within the Reserve. As the truck lost control and rolled some of the occupants were ejected while others remained inside the rear canvas covered compartment of the vehicle. ER24 paramedics explained that when they arrived on the scene there were a number of patients lying around the truck on the ground.

Fortunately no one was fatally injured in the accident, but two men, who are believed to have been flung from the truck, sustained critical injuries and were removed from the scene by two Medicopters. One man, who had sustained serious injury to his hips and his chest was airlifted to a Johannesburg hospital by the ER24 Discovery Medicopter. He was however fully alert and in severe pain. He was given pain medication by Advanced Life Support paramedics on the scene, stabilised and prepared for the Medicopter to transport him to a medical facility as soon as possible for further treatment. The other man was rushed to theater shortly after arrival at the hospital. 

Two other men sustained possible back and neck injuries and were loaded onto specialised equipment before being taken to nearby hospitals by road ambulances. A further eighteen to twenty patients were transported to surrounding hospitals for further assessment and treatment of minor injuries that they had sustained. It is believed that a further five or so patients had left the scene with private vehicles prior to the arrival of paramedics, and it is unclear as to whether they had sustained injury or not.

The patients treated were a mixture of males and females, with ages estimated to be between twenty and fifty years old. They had all sustained various injuries ranging from possible broken bones, back and neck injuries, chest injuries, lacerations and minor scrapes and bruises.

Woman Allegedly Assaulted On Her Lunch Break

It seems that the thirty year old woman was leaving for her lunch break from her place of work in McGregor street, Bloemfontein, when she was allegedly assaulted.

ER24 paramedics were called to the scene by her colleagues when they saw her walking back to the office and she seemed to be staggering. They then noted that she had collapsed as she had entered the gate of the premises. 

When paramedics arrived on the scene, the woman was in a great deal of pain, but she was fully alert and remembered what had happened. She explained that she was going to get lunch when she was approached by an unknown suspect who allegedly assaulted her with a blunt object to the head. Upon assessment, paramedics found that she had a fracture of her skull, and they bandaged the wound, stopped the bleeding and loaded her onto specialised equipment into the ambulance. She was then transported to a nearby hospital where she will receive further assessment and treatment for her injuries.

No other people seemed to have been involved in this incident, and it is still unclear as to whether the lady had any of her personal belongings taken from her during the alleged assault. The city police were on scene to take statements for investigation.

Six Injured In Collision

A collision on French road in Pietermaritzburg near the Makro has left six people injured after a light motor vehicle and a municipal bakkie collided this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found the two vehicles in the middle of the road. The driver of the bakkie and three passengers were found outside the vehicle and were treated for minor abrasions and lacerations. They were stabilised and transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic in a stable condition for further medical care.

The driver and passenger of the light motor vehicle, an elderly couple, were both found inside the car. The wife who was entrapped was extricated by the local Fire Department by means of the Jaws Of Life and other hydraulic equipment. Both her and her husband were treated for possible neck and back injuries and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

It is unclear who was at fault but the local authorities were on the scene and would be investigating the incident further.

Police Officer Air Lifted Due To Critical Injuries.

Three police officers were injured this afternoon when the vehicle they were travelling in over turned on the R549 near the Vaal Dam in the direction of Deneysville.

ER24 paramedics along with other emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the light motor vehicle down an embankment; all three occupants were found outside the vehicle. The one police officer was found walking around on the scene with minor injuries. His colleague was found near the vehicle and he had suffered possible neck and back injuries. These two men were transported by ambulance to Vereeniging Medi-Clinic for further medical assistance.

A third officer was found about twenty meters from the overturned vehicle and was in a critical condition. He had suffered severe head and chest injuries and required advanced life support intervention. The patient was stabilised and airlifted by the ER24 Discovery Medicopter in a critical but stable condition to Union Hospital where trauma staff were waiting.

It is unclear what caused the accident but the necessary authorities were on the scene and will investigate the incident further.

Cyclist Critical After Being Knocked Down

A cyclist in his late thirties has been left with critical injuries after he was riding his bicycle on Barrage Road near Vanderbijlpark this morning. A bakkie then collided with the man, throwing him a few meters from his bicycle.

The bakkie did not seem badly damaged, but as ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene, they noticed that the man who was lying in the road was critically injured. He had sustained what seemed to be a severe head injury and he was not breathing but had a pulse. Paramedics took over his breathing manually and stabilised his condition before loading him into the ambulance to transport to hospital.

The driver of the bakkie was left physically uninjured in the accident, and the police will be investigating the cause.

Taxis Collide Head On In Fourways

Two taxis have collided head on at the Grosvenor Crossing intersection of William Nicol and Main Road in Fourways. ER24 paramedics on the scene said that the two mangled taxis landed up in the middle of the intersection after they had collided.

According to those paramedics on scene, there were people all over the road, some were able to still walk around while others were lying in the road. Others were still trapped in the mangled vehicles. All emergency services in the areas provided resources to deal with the large number of patients on the scene. 

Six people had sustained critical injuries and needed Advanced Life Support treatment, two of them were actually airlifted from the scene by helicopter and were transported to a Johannesburg hospital for treatment. Seven other had sustained serious injuries, while a further eleven had only sustained minor injuries. The patients were a mixture of males and females, and it would appear that there were no children involved. 

Paramedics spent two hours on the scene, and the intersection was almost completely blocked to the early morning peak hour traffic. Fortunately the Police and Metro Police were on scene to assist with traffic flow and keeping the scene safe for the emergency workers and patients.

Truck Falls 50 Meters Into River

ER24 paramedics were called to the R59 at the Vaal River bridge, just before the Voortrekker Road off ramp after bystanders witnesses an articulated truck leaving the road falling into the river below. 

It appeared that the male driver of the truck was still inside the vehicle when the accident occurred. As paramedics arrived on the scene, they noticed that the side barrier of the bridge was ripped apart, and as they looked over, they saw the back end of a large truck's container, floating approximately a meter out of the brown water. The cabin of the truck was not visible. Immediately, rescue divers were notified and called to the scene. 

Unfortunately, the water level was very high, with the truck lying almost in the middle of the river between the two banks. It would prove impossible for paramedics to access the vehicle, and they would have to wait upon the divers to arrive. Fortunately they were on scene within minutes, and they began trying to access the river from the banks below.

Updates from the paramedics on scene, almost an hour after the incident is believed to have occurred, the divers were still struggling to find the front cabin of the truck. It seems that the trucks' front may have become detached from the rear containers as it crashed toward the river, therefore landing somewhat away from the rear.

It is still unclear as to what may have caused this incident, and whether there was more than one person in the vehicle at the time. It is also presumed that the driver is deceased, whether due to mechanism or drowning. Rescue divers will continue every effort to locate the man.

Traffic over the bridge became severely affected as community members learner of the accident and wanted to have a look. Police and traffic services were on scene assisting with traffic and the influx of people.

Mechanic Injured By Tractor

A mechanic to be in his late thirties has sustained serious injuries after a tractor that he was working on, rolled over him. The incident took place on a farm in Richmond just outside Pietermaritzburg this morning.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the man lying on the floor near the tractor with members of the family assisting him. The patient was assessed and found that he may have a fractured pelvis and possible internal injuries. Advanced Life Support intervention had to be performed before the patient was placed on a specialised board and transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic in a serious but stable condition.

It is unclear to what really happened but it is believed that the mechanic was under the tractor and somehow the tractor rolled forward going over the lower back of the patient.

Car Collides Into Cow, Passenger Injured.

A family on their way home from a night out never expected to find cows running around on the N3 Pietermaritzburg bound near Cato Ridge in the late part of yesterday evening.

The driver was able to veer out of the way for one of the cows but unfortunately collided into the second one just a few meters away. The collision occurred on the passenger side of the vehicle. The impact caused the cow to be killed instantly.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found the vehicle in the centre medium with the cow just a few meters away. The passenger who was a lady to be in her fifties had sustained severe facial injuries. Advanced Life Support Intervention had to be performed before she could be stabilised further on the scene. The driver and back passenger sustained minor injuries. The patients were transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic for further medical treatment.

It is unclear at this stage who the cows belong to but reports came in that there where fifteen cows roaming the freeway at the time of the incident.

Elderly Woman Knocked Down By Taxi.

What was meant to have being a day out with family turned into a night mare for an elderly woman after had been struck down by a taxi in Howick this morning.

Bystanders contacted ER24 through the national contact number on 084124 and informed the call taker that there had been an accident and that a woman was stuck underneath the taxi. Paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes of the call being taken. The elderly woman by this time had been removed from underneath the taxi by the members of public.

The woman was treated for serious injuries and needed advanced life support intervention. A drip was put up and she was given fluid and pain medication before she was transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic in a serious but stable condition for further medical care.

It is believed that the elderly woman drove up from Pietermaritzburg to have early lunch with her family. She had just parked her car and was crossing the road when the taxi came around the corner and collided into the patient. The impact caused her to be drag underneath the taxi for a few meters.

Working hard pays off

In the month of July, ILS practitioner Riaz Arendse, was instrumental in dispatching the Discovery ER24 Medicopter to a scene in Tokai, Cape Town.

His hard work in this regard was awarded, when Mr Arendse received a Canal Walk shopping voucher for his effort. The token of appreciation was handed over by Als practitioner Bradley Klein, at the Base 4 hanger in Cape Town, where the medicopter operates from.

We would like to thank all staff of ER24 for their efforts in taking the Medicopter service from strength to strength, in the past few months.

House Robbery Gone Bad.

For five people, the memory of tonight’s events will be forever etched in their minds after a robbery at their Welkom residence went horribly wrong.

The initial call received by ER24 was a stabbing, but when paramedics arrived on the scene, other emergency personnel on the scene informed us that members of the family had allegedly been assaulted and stabbed.

A man and a woman sustained multiple wounds to their body after they were apparently assaulted by a pipe of some sort. Another man sustained stab wounds and needed further medical care. An underage female and a young female, said to be in her early twenties, were assaulted. All patients were treated on the scene and transported to various hospitals in the area for further medical care.

It is believed that the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money and a motor vehicle. The necessary authorities were on the scene and would be investigating the incident further.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

EMERGENCY CALL TAKERS 

Competency Profile (Education, experience, skills & behaviour):

• You should have a minimum 1 year EMS call centre experience plus First Aid Level 3

• Customer Service Skills

• Relevant computer proficiency

• Proficiency in English

• Communication and listening skills

Key Deliverable:

• Call taking.

• Assess and prioritize calls accordingly.

• Data capture and analysis.

• Patient and client call backs.

• Follow up on primary calls

Package:

• Job grade: B3

• Salary: R8000 – R8800 CTC (depending on years of experience and level of qualification)

• Benefits: Medical aid and Provident Fund

EMERGENCY DISPATCHER

Competency Profile (Education, experience, skills & behaviour):

• Qualified dispatcher with at least 2 years experience in dispatching emergency resources.

• Experience in Radio Communication

• Minimum 1 year call taking experience

• Topographical knowledge of Southern Africa

• Relevant computer proficiency (MS office)

• Operational experience would be an advantage

Key Deliverable:

• Communication skills (written and verbal)

• Interpersonal relationship skills

• Analytical skills

• Technical skills

• Ability to manage resources appropriately

Package:

• Job grade: B4

• Salary: R9100 – R10300 CTC (depending on years of experience and level of qualification)

• Benefits: Medical aid and Provident Fund

INTER HOSPITAL TRANSFER AGENT

Competency Profile (Education, experience, skills & behaviour):

• Registration as a BAA with HPCSA

• 2 years Call Centre experience specific to Call Taking 

• Good communication and listening skills

• Relevant computer proficiency 

• Proficiency in English 

• Topographical knowledge of South Africa

• Customer services skills

• Good clinical knowledge 

• Good Time Management

• Case Management Skills

Key Deliverable:

• To ensure a smooth and efficient IHT process for customers

• Maintain service levels with all clients

• Facilitate IHT’s with all relevant role players

• Provide dispatchers with accurate information regarding equipment required for the transfer.

Package:

• Job grade: B3

• Salary:  R 9000 – 9600 CTC (depending on years of experience and level of qualification)

• Benefits: Medical aid and Provident Fund

Interested applicants must please forward their CV’s and proof of compliance with requirements to hr@er24.co.za or 0867435859.

Please indicate on application for which discipline and branch you applying for.

Closing date for all of the above opportunities: 13 August 2010

One Person Critical After Taxi Accident

ER24 paramedics on the scene of the N12 taxi accident in Benoni said that only one person was left with critical injuries after the taxi overturned.

It seems that the taxi experienced mechanical problems, a large possibility being that one of the tires had burst. It is clear from the tracks on the road that the taxi skidded along approximately fifty meters before the driver completely lost control of the vehicle, after which the taxi hit the roadside sand, and then clumps of grass, causing it to overturns onto its side, and skidding a further twenty meters coming to rest in the roadside grass.

When paramedics arrived on scene, they noticed that all the occupants were outside of the taxi, and most of them were walking around, brushing off the dust and debris. They were then alerted to a woman that was lying a few meters from the taxi, semi conscious and somewhat unresponsive. The twenty five year old appears to have been flung out of the vehicle as it turned onto its side, leaving her with a serious head injury.

Advanced Life Support paramedics had to sedate the young lady and placed her on manual ventilation until the ER24 Discovery Medicopter arrived on scene to airlift her to a Johannesburg hospital for further treatment. Strangely, none of the other occupants, including the of the taxi, appeared injured. Only one woman and her child were transported to hospital by ambulance as she was worried that her child was crying, so she rather opted to have her child checked by a physician. The rest of the occupants all took private transport to their various intended destinations.

The taxi was the only vehicle that was involved, and the necessary authorities will be controlling the investigation into the exact cause of this accident.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Advance Life Support (Paramedic)

Areas: CT West Metro, Pietermaritzburg, Nelspruit, Limpopo, Eastern Free State

 Competency Profile (Education, experience, skills & behaviour):

·         CCA or National Diploma/Degree in Emergency Medical care

·         Valid EB driver’s license with PDP

·         Registration with HPCSA

Key Deliverables:

·         Patient care (within protocol) and transport of patients

·         Handling and follow-up of all emergency calls

·         Liaison with trauma staff and doctors

·         Marketing and rendering of client service

·         Completing relevant documentation

·         Supervision of crews on shift

  

Package:

·         Job grade: C4

·         Salary: R18 900 – R21 400 CTC (depending on years of experience, area and level of qualification)

·         Benefits: Medical aid and Provident Fund

Interested applicants must please forward their CV’s and proof of compliance                          with requirements to hr@er24.co.za Please indicate on application for which discipline and branch you applying for.

       Closing date: 13 August 2010

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

BLS INSTRUCTOR – RANDFONTEIN MINE AREA

(6 month contract)

Competency Profile (Education, experience, skills & behaviour):

·         Minimum Basic Life Support qualification

·         Minimum 2 years operational experience

·         Fanagalo is an advantage

·         Code B drivers license and PDP (G,P) compulsory

·         Registration with HPCSA

·         Instructor qualification or experience will be advantageous

·         Fire department background is advantageous

Key Deliverables:

·         Maintain clinical and equipment standards in relation to the training facility

·         Manage and liaise relationships with external stakeholders pertaining to training and development.

·         Prepare and present training programs as required

·         Travel to location to conduct training

·         Effective and efficient utilization and supervision of human and financial resources within set budget

·         Liaise and develop courses within area of coverage

·         Liaise and cement relations with contracted clients

  

Package:

·         Job grade: C3

·         Salary: R9000 CTC

Interested applicants must please forward their CV’s and proof of compliance with requirements to hr@er24.co.za or fax to 0867435859

                                                     Closing date: 13 August 2010

COMMUNITY REACHED OUT FOR PETER WESSELS OLD AGE HOME

On Monday 2 August 2010 the news broke of a horrific fire at the Peter Wessels Old Age Home in Nigel. Initial reports on several electronic and print media explained that 18 elderly people died and over 80 were left stranded with only the clothes on their backs.

This morning news broke that four more elderly people died in hospital.

ER24 initiated a social network alert within our company to contribute in any way possible. Soon we were inundated with people all over South Africa offering assistance and requesting to make donations. Late yesterday afternoon ER24’s original Tweets and messages on Facebook tripled.

We were stunned when we received a phone call from Makro Head Office offering their support. Makro Head Office, Makro Germiston and MASSMART Holdings Limited, informed ER24 that they would contribute a total of R18 000.00 in goods to assist the elderly.

Today ER24 took two ambulances and a response vehicle to Makro Germiston to assist with the shopping spree for the elderly. They were so kind to donate 84 toiletry bags, which included shampoo, soap, face cloths, towels, toothbrushes and many more items. On top of this we loaded the two ambulances full with food and other items that would be needed.

As we thought that this would be it, we received more information of people that would wish to contribute. ER24’s staff from Johannesburg East and even as far as Vereeniging drove through to Nigel this afternoon to handover items.

A total of four ambulances and two response cars were filled with items.

Emotions ran high at the ER24 offices today as well as at the AFM Church in Dunnottar where the items were handed over. It was truly amazing to see and feel the community involvement and especially at such a short notice.

We were also informed this afternoon that an elderly lady from the fire had to be transferred to another Old Age Home. ER24’s Johannesburg East Branch offered to do the transfer free of charge.

Some of the paramedics explained that it was difficult experiencing at ground zero such a disaster.

We would like to thank everyone that came forward and those that pledged something towards the need of those that suffered and lost their live at the fire.

Please find a list below of people / companies that made today’s donation possible. I do apologise if I have left anyone out.

1. Makro Head Office Johannesburg, Makro Germiston - R10 000/ Foor and Consumables
2. MASSMART Holdings Limited - R 8 000 Toiletry bags (84)
3. Guy Hayword – Chief Financial Officer MASSMART
4. Brian Leroni – Corporate Affairs Executive MASSMART
5. Kevin Vuvyan-Day – CEO Makro South Africa
6. Medi Clinic Head Office Stellenbosch - Financial Assistance
7. Karen Worth - MASSMART - General Assistance
8. Rose Duffey – MAKRO SA - General Assistance
9. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre - SMS Donation Line
10. Michael Cannon - Part Time Medical Assistance
11. Linda Scott - Pledge
12. Sharon Cronje - Financial Assistance
13. Events & Pageants SA - Pledge / General Assistance
14. Word Christian Church - Pledge
15. ER24 Vereeniging Branch
16. ER24 Johannesburg East Branch
17. ER24 Special Events Department
18. ER24 Medicopter Ground Support Unit
19. Adv. Johan Jonck – ArriveAlive.co.za
20. Makro Germiston Staff

A community was brought together through a disaster, and lifted up with your assistance and kindness. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone and their families.

Prison Riot In Kimberly

ER24 paramedics were called to the new prison in Kimberly on Smithdrift Road for assistance after a riot had allegedly broken out.

Paramedics treated six patients within the walls of the prison, five of whom were prison guards, and one who was an inmate. The five wardens had sustained possible smoke inhalation injuries, and the inmate was treated for a head injury.

It seems that a number of prisoners were able to find materials within the prison, and started a fire, and then allegedly began to riot. A further twenty two people were allegedly seen to at the on site clinic, and treated for possible smoke inhalation injuries, it seems that they were then returned to within the prison walls after assessment.

The cause of the riot is at this stage unknown, but the necessary officials will be investigating.

Taxi Accident Leaves 11 Injured.

A collision has left eleven people injured after the taxi they were travelling in over turned on the R300 near the N2 fly over in the direction of Cape Town in the early parts of this morning.

ER24 arrived on the scene and found the taxi lying on its side facing oncoming traffic. The patients were found seated on the floor near the accident. They were assessed by paramedics and found that all eleven had sustained minor to moderate injuries. They were stabilised further and transported to various hospitals in the greater Cape Town region.

It is believed that the taxi driver was over taking a light motor vehicle and somehow lost control after hitting a bump in the road. The vehicle over turned and slid on its side for about 100m before coming to rest.

The necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the incident further.

THANK YOU - Sponsors of consumables after Old Age Home Fire

It gives me goose bumps to report on the absolute stunning support that we have received from various companies, after pleading for help for those who have lost everything in the fire that gutted the Old Age Home in Nigel on Sunday night.

A special thanks goes out to the following:

• Makro Head Office
• Makro Germiston
• Mass Holdings
• Menlyn Retail
• ER24

Without you we would not have been able to put a small glimmer of hope in those who are suffering not only the loss of their home but also their loved ones.  

The goods will be delivered to the AFM Church, number 54 Christophersson Avenue in Dunnotter, Nigel between 12h00 and 13h00 today the 3rd of August.

Once again THANK YOU.

Car Plunges Into Pool Killing One.

What was meant to be a normal Monday evening turned out to be traumatic for four occupants of a light motor vehicle after it was unable to stop on the driveway, went through a small fence and dropped down about one and half stories into a swimming pool in Balhambar road, Northdale in Pietermaritzburg.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found members of public doing CPR on two of the occupants. Paramedics stepped in and took over CPR and both patients received advanced life support intervention. While emergency personnel were busy with the two patients they were informed of a third person still entrapped inside the car. ER24’s Paul Knoesen, Brandon Drinkwater and Johann Mc Dermott immediately jumped into the pool and had to feel inside the car for the third victim. The patient was found and was brought to the surface where CPR was started.

The paramedics were able to get back a pulse on two of the patients and they were rushed to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic in a critical condition, where trauma staff was waiting to take over medical care. Unfortunately the third patient was declared deceased on the scene. The driver of the motor vehicle was able to jump out of the vehicle and did not sustain any injuries.

It is believed that the family had just fetched the grandmother from the hospital and was entering the premises when the car had mechanical problems. The driver was unable to stop the car, causing it to run down the drive way and go over the edge.

Shop Owner Serious After Shooting.

A thirty two old shop owner is in a serious condition after being shot in the leg after opening his stall in Field Street, Durban CBD this morning.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the man seated on the floor with his pants stained with blood. Paramedics investigated and found he had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper leg and was in a severe pain. The patient received fluid through a drip and advanced life support intervention was performed. The patient was stabilised further and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care in a serious but stable condition.

It is believed that the man was opening his shop when he was approached by the suspects. Once inside they demanded the money. It is unclear what happened then but the owner got shot and the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

The necessary authorities were on the scene and would be investigating the incident further.

Please Help - 18 Die In Old Age Home Fire

News broke this morning on several radio and television broadcasts of the 18 elderly people that died in a horrific fire in Nigel.

The fire broke out late last night at the Peter Wessels Old Age Home and left scores of people without any food, clothes or something to keep them warm. Some of them could save their personal belongings, but majority lost everything.

Please be so kind to assist with one of the following wherever you can:

1. Non-perishable food
2. Clothes
3. Blankets
4. Toiletries
5. Shoes
6. Bedding, etc.

If you can assist with any of the above or in any other way, please mail me (werner.vermaak@er24.co.za) or Anne-Rita Fewell (anne-rita.fewell@er24.co.za).

Your assistance would be highly appreciated.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/18-die-in-old-age-home-fire-20100802

They are currently being assisted by two churches in the area.

Bakkie Rolls Killing Four

It appears that a bakkie carrying fifteen people lost control in a bend in Church Street in Bloemfontein causing it to roll. According to ER24 paramedics on the scene, the bakkie did not have a canopy, and the occupants at the back of the vehicle were thrown off while it rolled. When paramedics arrived on the scene, there was debris and patients scattered everywhere, and they immediately got to work assessing the injured.

Sadly, four men people lost their lives in the accident after having suffered multiple fatal injuries. There was nothing more that the paramedics could do for them and they were declared deceased on the scene. A woman needed to be stabilised by an Advanced Life Support paramedic, as she had sustained critical injuries, she was further placed on manual ventilation and rushed to a local private hospital. She may have sustained a severe head injury and multiple other traumatic injuries.

Four men and two women were treated for possible back and neck injuries, and were placed on spinal immobilisation equipment. A further three men and a woman were treated for minor injuries. All patients were transported to nearby hospitals for further assessment and treatment.

Two Taxis Collide Head On

ER24 paramedics described the scene as somewhat chaotic, where two taxis had rammed into each other, head on, with severe force, coming to rest almost perfectly next to each other. The incident took place at around 22h00, on Landsdown road in Khayelitsha. Paramedics allegedly had a difficult time of sorting through the bystanders in order to find the patients, and again found it difficult to determine if they were really a patient involved in the accident or not.

Three patients had sustained multiple serious injuries, with two of them being in a more critical condition than the other one. The two more critical men were determined to be the drivers of the respective taxi, who were flung out of the front windscreen of their vehicles upon impact. Both had multiple broken bones and severe head injuries. The other man had sustained broken bones but was in a stable condition. He was trapped in a passenger seat of one of the taxis for approximately fourty minutes while Fire and Rescue workers used the Jaws of Life to cut away at the wrecked metal surrounding him.

Another 5 men and one women were treated on scene for minor injuries and shock, and all patients were loaded into ambulances and transported to various surrounding provincial hospitals.

Young Man Seriously Injured After Motorbike Accident

A twenty year old man was left with serious injuries after he crashed into the back of a stationery car while riding his motorbike. It seems that the driver of the car slowed down to almost a stop as he was attempting to pull off into a side road from Louisrus road near Vanderbijlpark.

The impact was quite severe, pushing the young mans pelvis up against the handlebars, causing a bad break to his hips. ER24 paramedics on the scene also treated him for a possible break to his left leg, hypothermia and loss of blood. His hips were stabilised by means of a tie splint and he was given pain medication before he was moved into the ambulance. Paramedics noticed that the young man was strangely calm through the entire incident, and was handed over to the hospital staff in a serious but stable condition.

The man's family arrived on scene and were visibly concerned for their son.

It seems that the driver of the car had left the scene by the time the paramedics arrived. The police will be investigating.

Wall Falls On Boy

A fifteen year old boy has sustained a bad break to his right leg and left arm after a wall fell on top of him.

According to ER24 paramedics on the scene, the boys family was enjoying a Sunday family get together, and the boy was playing in the garden with the other children. He then ran up one of the embankments and jumped up onto a wall, hanging down from it by his hands. The wall then gave way and a few of the bigger boulders fell on top of him breaking his leg and arm.

Bystanders removed the boulders from his body and made him as comfortable as possible before paramedics arrived. The family was clearly shaken by the incident, and the teen was in severe pain.

The ER24 Advanced Life Support paramedic gave the boy some pain medication, they splinted his broken limbs, and transported him in a stable condition to hospital. Fortunately none of the other children were injured.

Two Trucks Collided Head On In Pietermaritzburg

It seems that one of the trucks crossed the middle island of the highway and then slammed head on into a second truck which was travelling in the opposite direction. It is unclear as to which of the trucks was initially at fault, but both of them were severely damaged. The incident occurred at approximately 19h00 on the N3 in Pietermaritzburg near the Lion Park off ramp.
 
After the initial accident, two other sedans crashed into the wreckage of the two trucks. One of the occupants of the truck, which was a vehicle transported truck and was empty at the time, died on impact, while the other occupant was treated by Advanced Life Support paramedics as he had sustained multiple critical injuries. The second truck, carrying chemicals, caught alight shortly after the accident, and the entire cabin and back container of the truck was engulfed in flames. It seems that the driver was ejected out of the vehcile after impact, and he dies soon afterwards. Fire and Rescue workers battled to extinguish the blaze.

A couple travelling in one of the sedans, were lucky enough to only have sustained moderate injuries, and were treated for possible back and neck injuries before being transported to hospital. The other two occupants of the second car sustained no physical injury and requested private transportation at a later stage if the need arose.

The entire N3 highway was closed while emergency personnel were on scene.

Foetus Found On Pavement

ER24 paramedics were called to Grey avenue in Vereeniging near the Joubert street intersection for a foetus that was found lying on the pavement. The foetus, according to the paramedics on scene, was approximately eighteen centimetres long.

The reason that the foetus was just lying there, exposed on the pavement, is unclear, and the mother who had given birth to the child was nowhere to be found. Sadly the little thing was already deceased by the time the ambulance was called, and paramedics pronounced it dead on the scene.

Strangely enough, there is a hospital right across the street to where the incident took place, and the mother was for some unknown reason unable to get the baby there. The police were on scene to perform the necessary tasks for investigation.

Pedestrian Knocked Down As Bakkie Overturns

A woman in her sixties was left with serious injuries after she was knocked over by a bakkie on the R56 in the Frans Location in Pietermaritzburg.

ER24 paramedics on the scene said that it seems the bakkie had lost control for some reason, and as they left the road, they collided with the woman. She was treated for multiple broken bones, but was in a stable condition as she was taken through to the hospital.

The bakkie spun further out of control and came to rest in its roof after rolling down the embankment on the side of the road. The three male occupants were already outside of the vehicle when paramedics arrived. They were treated for possible back and neck injuries, and minor scrapes and bruises. They were all transported to a nearby provincial hospital.

The police were on the scene to take statements for investigation.

Seven Car Pile Up Leaves Thirteen Injured

Paramedics from all surrounding areas were called to the N12 Eastbound, between the Kliprivier and Camaro exits. It seems that one car was rear ended, which caused it to roll, and another five cars then crashed into the first two cars. Debris was seen to be covering all four lanes on the highway, with it extending approximately a hundred meters forward.

An ER24 paramedic described the initial scene as chaotic, with people strewn across the highway. After taking control of the scene, it was determined that there were a possible thirteen patients from the two bakkies and five cars involved.

Fire and Rescue services had to cut a number of seriously injured people from the wrecks, while others were picked up from the roadside gutters after having been ejected from the vehicles that had rolled. There were a select few that were lucky enough to have sustained only minor injuries and were walking around on the scene.

In total, four patients were in a serious condition due to head injuries or multiple broken bones, and nine patients were treated for moderate to minor injuries. All patients were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals, and the scene was eventually cleared almost three hours later.

One can only be thankful that no one lost their life in this terrible accident.

Four Injured In Riot

Police had their hands full when more than a hundred angry people started rioting near Pietermaritz street in Pietermaritzburg this evening.

Although we cannot guarantee the fact, it most certainly resembled recent Xenophobic attacks that have been occurring around the country in the last months. ER24 paramedics who were on the scene, said that the crowd was large and angry. Initially the paramedics treated three Ethiopian males, who had sustained minor superficial stab wounds to their necks and backs. It also appeared that they did not want any medical treatment, but wanted to rather return to the angry mob to continue fighting for their rights. After the paramedics spoke to the men, they reluctantly agreed to be taken to hospital for further assessment. Their wounds were bandaged and they were loaded into the ambulance.

Before the ambulance left the scene, paramedics were sent another patient. This time a South African woman, who had sustained minor injury to her elbow after rocks had allegedly been thrown at her. She too was patched up and loaded into the ambulance for transport to hospital.

One of the Ethiopian men said that a fight had started in the community when his brother's car had been vandalised for no apparent reason, and this had sparked the bigger crown of people getting involved, and things turned more violent.

The local Police as well as K9 units were on scene to attempt to calm and disperse the angry crowd.

Two Die After Crashing Into Tree

A man and a woman, who appeared to be in their thirties, have died tragically after their vehicle left the road and slammed into a tree. It seems that the pair were driving along the N1 highway near the Okavango turn off, when their car veered out of control.

It is unclear as to why the driver of the Toyota lost control of his vehicle, but it is suspected that they experienced mechanical problems or that a tyre had burst. After the vehicle left the road, it seems that it drove into the large tree with severe force. ER24 paramedics who were on the scene, said that the front wheels were pushed almost into the top of the dashboard. The front of the vehicle was badly damaged, and both patients sustained severe injuries. Both of them died in their seats in the car after the dashboard appears to have crushed their chests. Fire and Rescue workers had to cut the mangled wreck away from the tree before the two's mortal remains could be removed.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Man Dies On Durban Beach

ER24 paramedics were called to the Lower Marine Parade beachfront for a man that had been shot. When they arrived, they found the man who is believed to be in his fourties, lying face down in the sand. He had sustained what appeared to be a gun shot wound to his left chest.

After the initial assessment, it was determined that the wound to his chest was fatal, and he was declared deceased on the scene. It seems that there was a witness to the incident, and the Durban Metro police obtained statements to investigate all possibilities.

It is unclear as to whether the man's family has been informed of this tragedy.

Man Airlifted After Head On Collision

Five people have been injured after two cars collided on the R44 in Blackheath near Stellenbosch. Paramedics that were on the scene were trying to determine how the accident could have happened, but were slightly stumped as there is quite a large middle island between the two lanes of the carriage way.

It seems like the two cars were travelling in opposite directions when the accident occurred, and one car was badly damaged in the front and side, while the other only had frontal damage.

When paramedics arrived, all of the patients were outside of the vehicles, and bystanders quickly alerted them to a man who was in a serious condition. The bystanders said that the man was still stuck in the vehicle when they had witnessed the accident and pulled over. They managed to pull him out of the crumpled wreck, much to the surprise of the Fire and Rescue workers as they thought for sure they would have needed to use the Jaws of Life to cut away at the mangled metal.

The man was treated on scene for serious chest injuries, and his condition seemed to be deteriorating. The treating Advanced Life Support paramedic then decided that the patient would fit into flight criteria, and the ER24 Discovery Medicopter was summonsed. The man was airlifted from scene and was in hospital within minutes for more advance medical treatment.

The other four patients, three men and a woman, had sustained multiple injures and were treated an transported to hospital by road ambulance.

The cause of the accident is unknown, but the relevant authorities were on scene to investigate.

School Bus Hit By Train

A school bus, carrying sixty two children and three teachers, returning to Pretoria from a school tour in Limpopo, collided with a train in the early hours of the morning. The incident took place near the Rolle Train Station in Thulamahashe.

The bus was crossing the railway tracks when the train hit. Fortunately the bus was almost completely over the tracks when the collision occurred, leaving the majority of the patients with only minor to moderate injuries.

Two children and one of the teachers were sadly declared deceased on the scene due to multiple fatal injuries. It is unclear at this stage as to the sex and ages of those fatally injured. The other sixty two patients were treated on scene, and transported to surrounding hospitals by local ambulances for further treatment.

It seems that the driver of the bus fled the scene after the incident. No one in the train, which was carrying goods at the time, sustained any injuries.

THANK YOU

Thank you to ER24 and Ben Johnson for giving a very informative and practcal talk at Wednesday's, Monteseel Community Watch meeting on CPR and managing choking situations. The residents of Monteseel appreciate the 'community spirit' of ER24 and their staff! - Sue Johnson

Two Die In Double Truck Accident

A large truck had broken down on the side of the road heading towards Villiers near the Vaal Marina on Villiers Road. The driver had called the mechanic to help, who arrived in a white bakkie. The two were then trying to find out why the truck had broken down when they noticed another truck coming straight for them. According to eye witnesses, the two just ran as fast as they could into the field next to the road. 

The second truck slammed into the stationery truck as well as the white mechanic’s bakkie, with such force that both male occupants were ejected out of the front windscreen. Both of them come to rest in the road, and had sustained multiple fatal injuries. There was nothing paramedics could do for the two men, and they were pronounced deceased on the scene.

It seems that the driver of the second truck had lost control of the vehicle which then veered toward the side of the road where the first truck had broken down. The road surface was also severely damaged by the incident, and traffic had to be diverted onto the middle island of the road. The road will be closed for some time heading into Villiers due to clean up operations.

Family Loses Possessions In Fire

A family has lost most of their worldly possessions in a fire that tore through their Bryanston home. It is unclear as to why the fire started, but it seems that the roof was the first thing to catch alight.

A mother and two eighteen month old children were in the house at the time, but fortunately the woman kept a cool head, collecting the children and removing them from the home before the fire got worse. The Fire and Rescue services were called along with ER24 paramedics to attend to the scene. The paramedics assessed the mother and two children, who seemed physically unaffected by the incident, but it was recommended to them that they see a physician for possible smoke inhalation. The three were taken to a family members’ house to deal with the shock of what had happened.

The fire devastated their home, with firemen pulling out undamaged furniture to try and salvage it. The front lawn of the house was littered with their undamaged possessions. Fire investigators will determine the exact cause of the fire.