Young Female Escapes Fire.

A eighteen year old female has had a narrow escape and only suffered minor injuries this evening after the granny flat that she was staying in caught a light on Brownie street in Vanderbiljpark.

ER24 arrived on the scene along with the local Fire Department. They found the young girl seated on the verge outside the house with minor lacerations to her feet. Her feet were bandaged before been put in to the ambulance. While the patient was been treated, she informed emergency personnel that her puppy was still inside the house. A paramedic and Fire Fighter went into the house to find the puppy in another room. The puppy had sustained a little smoke inhalation but was happy to be back with his owner. The patient was taken to a local hospital for further medical care.

It is believed that the young girl was sitting in her lounge watching TV, when she realised that her granny flat was on fire. She kicked out her window to escape from the blaze, causing her to cut her feet on the broken glass.

The necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the cause of the fire.

Child Found At Bottom Of Pool

A four and half year old boy has been found dead at the bottom of his parents swimming pool in Linden this evening.

ER24 paramedics along with SAPS and a search team were called into help search for the little boy that had gone missing just after five this afternoon. It is believed that the boy was found by a SAPS member who called the paramedics to help assist.

Unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do for the child as he had drowned. The child was declared deceased on the scene.

SAPS will be investigating the circumstances around the death of this poor child.

Woman Found Bound and Deceased in House in Potchefstroom

An elderly female, believed to be in her 80's, was found deceased in a residential home in Potchefstroom Town Central.

ER24 paramedics, who were accompanied on scene by members of the SAPS, found the woman bound, and with multiple penetrating wounds to her chest. The wounds she sustained were fatal, and she was declared dead on the scene. It had also appeared that the woman has been deceased for some time.

It is unclear as to what took place in the house, but the Potchefstroom SAPS will be conducting a thorough investigation into the woman's death.

Mother and Baby Killed in Truck Accident (N1)

A mother believed to be in her 20's, and her baby believed to be one year old, was killed this morning in a horror truck accident on the N1 approximately 40km outside of Bloemfontein.

It is understood that a truck carrying a load of tyres crashed into the back of another truck on the N1 towards Cape Town.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the two trucks severely mangled. The mother and her baby believed to be passengers in the rear truck was found dead with multiple injuries. Two other occupants of the rear truck sustained only minor injuries and was assessed on the scene.

The driver of the front truck also sustained minor injuries and was assessed on the scene.

It is not clear what caused the accident. The local authorities will investigate.

Photos available at www.flickr.com/photos/er24ems

9 Injured in Taxi Collision

Nine people were injured this afternoon in a collision between a taxi and a security bakkie on Boshoff and Long Market Streets, Pietermaritzburg.


Paramedics that arrived on the scene found the bakkie in a nearby wall of a building and the taxi in the middle of the road.

It is understood that the bakkie and the taxi collided head on with each other sending the bakkie through a palisade fence before crashing into the nearby building.

The male driver of the bakkie sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Eight occupants of the taxi also sustained moderate injuries and was assessed on the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital.

The exact cause of the accident is not yet known.

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ER24 - Co-sponsor of Balfour Park Soccer Club

Tonight on SABC1 @ 21:00





ER24 is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Balfour Park Soccer Club.

Durban ( Shongweni ) N3 North Bound Just Past Shongweni Bridge

Two people are in a critical condition, four are in a serious condition and another five people have sustained minor to moderate injuries after a collision involving two light motor vehicles occurred on the N3 heading towards Pietermaritzburg just past the Shongweni bridge late last night.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find a Jetta sheared in half and a BMW was off the road just a few meters away. One person was found lying between the two parts of the car and was in a critical condition. A little boy was found on the back seat of the BMW and had suffered a head injury. Both these patients required Advanced Life Support Intervention to be done. They were intubated and placed on a manual ventilator before been transported to hospital.

The driver of the BMW was entrapped and needed the Jaws of Life to be extricated from the vehicle. The driver and three other people were treated for possible neck, back and multiple lacerations. Five people were treated for minor injuries of which three did not want to go to hospital. All the patients were transported to R K Khans Hospital for further medical care.

It is unclear what happened but it is believed that the Jetta was on the N3 heading towards Durban when the driver lost control and went through the centre medium and crashed into the BMW that was heading towards Pietermaritzburg. The impact was so great that it caused the Jetta to shear in half.

All necessary authorities were on the scene and a investigation would be done into the accident.

Durban ( Umlazi ) Road 1902 “C” Section

Thirty people have been injured at a local tavern in Umlazi this evening after the sundeck collapsed causing people to fall into the hole that was left.

Emergency personnel from services arrived on the scene to find hundreds of people near the incident, making it very difficult for emergency services to work. An area was made so that paramedics could ascertain who was serious and who was not.

Fifteen people were treated for serious injuries. These injuries ranged from possible fractures, serious lacerations and neck injuries. Another fifteen people were treated for very minor injuries. All the patients were stabilised on the scene and transported to various Hospitals in the greater Durban area for further medical care. No fatalities were reported on the scene.

It is believed that the deck collapsed due to the amount of people that was on it at the time.

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

Pietermaritzburg ( Edendale ) Edendale Road Near French Road

Four people are in a serious condition after a head on collision took place on Edendale road near French road this afternoon.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find two light motor vehicles involved in a collision. One vehicle was lying in the centre medium on its roof while the second one was still in the road facing towards Edendale Hospital.

Four patients were found lying on the floor outside the over turned vehicle. They had sustained multiple fractures and need Advanced Life Support Intervention. They were placed on specialised equipment before been transported to Edendale Hospital in a serious condition for further medical care.

It is believed that the Nissan was travelling towards Pietermaritzburg when the driver lost control and went through the centre medium and collided head on with the Toyota before over turning onto the island. The driver of the Nissan could not be found on the scene but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.

Durban ( Westville ) Blair Athole Road.

A woman has been seriously injured while a man has sustained minor to moderate injuries after the vehicle they were in collided into a light pole on Blaire Athole Road in the early hour of this morning.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find a Dodge SUV had crashed into a light pole causing it to break and fall across a drive way. Fire Department from Westville were in attendance by this time. The Driver which was the female had sustained severe pains to her neck and back. Her husband which was the passenger had sustained minor injuries to his wrist. Both were stabilised on the scene and transported to Life Entabeni Hospital for further medical attention.

Metro police were on the scene and would be investigating to determine the cause of the accident. Fire Department had to wait until the electricity department arrived to make sure that the light pole was safe to members of public.

Durban ( Pinetown ) CNR Of Crompton and Scott Street.

A driver and his conductor have sustained serious injuries after the truck they were travelling in over turned on Crompton Street, completely blocking Scott street for motorist to gain entry into this evening.

ER24 and Pinetown Fire Department were amongst the first to arrive on the scene. They were confronted with an articulated truck that was lying on its side with the cargo embedded into the tree. The driver and passenger were mechanically entrapped inside the cabin. Fire Department used specialised equipment to gain access to the cabin so paramedics could get in to help treat the two patients.

The driver was the first to be extricated, he had suffered injuries to his shoulder, head and possible back. The passenger had suffered neck, back and pelvis injuries. They were stabilised further before been transported to a hospital in the greater Durban area.

It is unclear what caused the truck driver to lose control around the corner but the accident caused the cargo bin to rip open and for diesel to run onto the road. The necessary people were called in to help with the cleanup. Crompton would be closed for a few hours until salvaging has been done.

Durban ( Pinetown ) Old Main Road Taxi Rank.

A man thought to be in his mid forty’s has been shot at the local taxi rank in Pinetown in the earlier this evening.

ER24 paramedics were escorted to the scene by the police due to safety reasons. Once on the scene they found the patient lying on the floor of the taxi rank in a pool of blood. The patient had sustained a gunshot wound and was unresponsive to paramedics. Advanced Life Support Intervention was performed on the patient but after a long battle to try and save the man’s life, he was declared deceased due to possible internal injuries that the bullet may have caused.

The cause of the shooting is unknown but SAPS from Pinetown would investigate the incident.

Sasolburg ( R57 ) 10km Outside Sasolburg

A elderly couple has been killed after the vehicle they were driving in collided with a trailer on the R57 just outside Sasolburg this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find a trailer in the middle of the road and the light motor vehicle close to it. Paramedics approached the car to find the couple entrapped and had suffered massive trauma. Both husband and wife were declared deceased on the scene due to the fatal injuries they had sustained. Sasolburg Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate the couple from the vehicle.

It is believed the couple were on their way to visit family in the Vaal Triangle when a Land Drover pulling the trailer with road work equipment on the back came out of a small side road, the couple could not stop in time and collided into the side of the trailer.

The necessary authorities will be investigating the accident.

Durban ( Hillcrest ) St Helier Road Off Old Main Road

A truck driver escaped with only minor injuries after the truck he was travelling in left the M13 freeway and rolled down on to St Helier road this afternoon.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find the truck completely blocking the road and Tar waste was all the scene. The driver who had climbed out of the vehicle had sustained very minor injuries and was stabilise by ambulance staff before transported to Life Crompton Hospital for further medical care.

It is believed that the truck was travelling down the M13 towards Hillcrest when the vehicle may have had a mechanical problem, causing the driver to lose control and crash through the Armco barrier and roll down the embankment.

Fire Department, VEMA and Metro Police were in attendance.

Pietermaritzburg ( Camperdown ) N3 Umlass Road

A woman and two boys age thirteen have been injured after the vehicle they were travelling in left the road and rolled down an embankment and landed onto the R103 this morning.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find a light motor vehicle on its wheels with extensive damage to the outside of the vehicle. Three occupants, a woman and two boys were found seated on the road next to the wreckage. The woman was treated for serious injuries while the two boys sustained minor to moderate injuries. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic for further medical care.

It is unclear what caused the woman to lose control but it is believed that there may have been some sort of mechanical problem causing the woman to lose control of the vehicle.

Durban ( Central ) Smith Street Near To Russell Street.

A young man to be in his early twenty’s is in a critical condition after been struck down by a motor vehicle on Smith Street in the early hours of this morning.

ER24 Advanced Life Support paramedic arrived on the scene to find the man lying in the middle of the road with a Metro Police blocking parts of the road so that he would not be hit by any other vehicle’s that were travelling out of Durban.

The man had sustained severe head injuries and needed Advanced Life Support Intervention to be performed on him. The patient was intubated and placed on a manual breathing machine on the scene. He was transported to Addington Hospital in a critical condition for further medical care.

It is believed that the man was crossing the quite road of Smith Street when he was struck by a passing vehicle that was travelling along the road. The vehicle that was involved with this accident did not stop on the scene. Metro Police will be investigating the hit and run case.

Pietermaritzburg ( Central ) N3 North Bound Near Chatterton .

A driver to be in his early thirty’s has been killed after an accident occurred on the N3 near Chatterton this morning.

ER24 paramedics were called to the scene where a bakkie had been spotted in some bushes. Once they had arrived they found a bakkie that had left the N3 and rolled into some bushes off the side of the road. The driver who was found about 10m from the accident is believed to have been ejected from the vehicle, had sustained severe traumatic injuries was declared deceased on arrival of paramedics.

It is unclear what time this accident occurred but the wreckage was only noticeable once the sun started to come out by members of public that were driving pass. The exact cause of the accident is unknown but the necessary authorities will be investigating the accident.

Yet Another Fatal Truck Accident in Benoni

This mornings’ collision between two trucks in Benoni, which claimed 4 lives, has been followed by yet another fatal truck accident on Snake and Airport road.

The truck allegedly T-Boned a car at the intersection, claiming the life of the passenger, who was declared dead on the scene.

The driver of the car, who sustained moderate injuries, was treated on the scene before being transported by ER24 paramedics to a nearby Provincial Hospital. The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries only.

It is as yet unclear who was at fault when the accident occurred, but an incident investigation will be conducted by the necessary authorities.

Durban ( Nandi Drive ) CNR Of Newlands East and Nandi Drive.

Two people have been seriously injured and a third has sustained minor to moderate injuries after two light motor vehicles collided at the intersection of Nandi Drive and Newlands East this morning.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find a VW Polo up against a robot and a VW Golf in the middle of the road. The driver and passenger of the VW Polo was found seated on the pavement and had sustained multiple lacerations to their head. They were also treated for possible neck and back injuries. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care. The third patient who was the driver of the other car had sustained very minor injuries and would go later to her doctor for further medical treatment.

It is unclear who was at fault but Metro Police were on the scene and would investigate the accident.

Durban ( Galloway ) Galloway and Waterval Place.

A truck driver escaped with minor injuries after the truck he was travelling lost control causing the cargo to come lose and over turn this morning.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find the truck had jacked knifed and the cargo that it was carrying had over turned. The driver was found seated next to his vehicle with a minor laceration. He was treated on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

The road has been closed to traffic due to the accident and would take a few hours to clear.

Durban ( Queensburgh ) N2 North Bound Near The M7

A pedestrian to be in his early fifties has been killed after crossing the busy N2 freeway near the M7 off ramp this morning.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and were told by members of public were the man was lying. Paramedics found the man lying in the centre medium of the freeway. He had sustained traumatic injuries and was declared deceased on the scene.

It is believed that the pedestrian had climbed out of a truck and ran across the freeway. He was knocked down by a panel van in the fast lane. The impact caused the patient to be catapulted into the air and land in the centre medium.

Metro Police were on the scene and would investigate the accident.

Four Killed, Two Serious in Double Truck Accident

Four people were killed and two others were left in a critical condition this morning on the N12 between Tom Jones and Snake Roads. Another 12 patients sustained moderate to serious injuries.

It is understood that the two trucks, one of them carrying a cargo of mangoes, collided with the other whilst on their way to Johannesburg.

Emergency services had to close off the road whilst paramedics and other rescue workers attended to patients. Traffic was re-routed from the highway.

All of the patients sustained multiple injuries and had to be rushed off to various hospitals in the area for further medical management.

The exact cause of the accident is not yet known and will be investigated. It is understood that all of the injured were occupants of trucks.

Durban ( Central ) Cnr Of Ordance and Aliwal Street

Four school boys were injured while trying to cross over the road due to a car accident that had taken place at the intersection of Ordance and Aliwal street this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics rushed to the scene to find the four boys in their teens seated on the pavement. The four boys had sustained minor grazes and lacerations and needed minor medical attention. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital by EMRS for further medical attention.

A collision involving two cars occurred at the same time as the boys were crossing the road. It is unclear who was at fault but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident. Ordance road leaving Durban was closed to traffic and directed onto NMR avenue.

Durban ( Central ) CNR of West and Shepstone Street

A driver and three passengers have been injured after a collision between a bakkie and a light motor vehicle occurred at the intersection on West and Shepstone road this afternoon.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find the bakkie had crashed through a fence and the light motor vehicle was blocking two lanes of West street. The driver of the light motor vehicle and two of her back seat passenger sustained minor to moderate injuries. The passenger that was seated in the front was more serious. She had sustained a serious laceration to her forehead and possible neck and back injuries. Advanced Life Support Intervention had to be performed on the patient before been stabilised further. All the patients were transported by road by ER24 to Life Entabeni Hospital for further medical care.

The driver of the bakkie was found walking around on the scene and suffered minor injuries, he would later go and see his doctor for further treatment.

It is unclear who was at fault but Metro Police were in attendance and would investigate the accident

Three Year Old Found after 4 Days Missing

A three year old girl has been found today after she was allegedly kidnapped on Sunday afternoon around 16h30.

SAPS search and rescue dogs found the child in a veld on Welgevonden road in Lakeside Sebokeng, not far from where the child was allegedly taken from her residence.

Upon the arrival of ER24 paramedics, the child was alert but visibly distraught. She was severely dehydrated and had suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her back.

The child was treated for her injuries on scene, and her grandmother accompanied her to hospital, where she fell asleep in the ambulance.

SAPS are investigating the alleged kidnapping and assault.

Hit and Run in Fourways

A road worker has been left in a critical condition after being involved in an alleged hit and run incident in Fourways.

It is believed that the man was working on the roadside, on the corners of Witkoppen and Main Road in Fourways, when a passing vehicle struck him and sped off.

ER24 paramedics responded to the scene to find a man, thought to be in his early 20’s, lying face down on the side of the road. He was barely conscious with multiple critical injuries visibly obvious. Advanced Life Support paramedics treated the patient on the scene, stabilizing his condition, before being airlifted by the Discovery Medicopter to Milpark Hospital.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police were on scene to take statements, and will be conducting the necessary investigations.

Photos and Video available at www.flickr.com/photos/er24ems

Hijacking Near Meyerton

A 23 year old male was hijacked approximately five kilometers from Meyerton this evening.

An unknown number of suspects approached his vehicle and allegedly assaulted him on the back of the head and neck with a blunt object before driving off with him. He was then thrown from the vehicle onto the side of the road in Meyer Street in Meyerton.

A friend of the man was driving past at the time of the incident and recognized him. He then phoned for an ambulance. ER24 paramedics treated the man on scene for suspected blunt force injuries to the back of his head, and possible back and neck injuries. The patient was transported to Vereeniging Medi Clinic in a stable condition.

The SAPS were on scene, and will be investigating the hijacking, as well as attempting to locate the vehicle

Woman falls two storeys from a window

A woman in her 30's fell two storeys from a window in Eldorado Park this afternoon. The woman was found by ER24 paramedics lying on the ground below the window. She was complaining of severe pain in her hips. Advanced Life Support treated the patient for a suspected fracture of her pelvis.

The woman explained to the paramedics, that she was thowing keys down to someone at the front door when the metal frame of the window gave way causing her to fall forwards.

Miraculously, it seemed that she had not sustained any other visibly critical injuries. The woman was loaded onto a specialised stretched protecting her back, neck and hips, before being transported to Garden City Hospital in a stable condition.

Durban ( Westville ) N2 North Bound Near Spaghetti Junction.

A man who is in his early forty’s has died after his car left the freeway and rolled into a ditch on the side of the road this morning.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the BMW lying on its side in the ditch facing north. Members of public who had witnessed the accident, quickly informed paramedics that the driver was still inside the vehicle. Once paramedics gained access to the vehicle they found the man lying in the driver’s seat. The patient was assessed but was found that he had died due to unknown injuries.

It is believed the vehicle was travelling along the N2 North bound when it is alleged the car veered off the road and rolled along the embankment before coming to a halt in the ditch.

Metro Police, RTI, SAPS and EMRS were on scene.

Cape Town - R44 - March 2010

A girl, believed to be seven-years-old, died after she was hit by a Citi Golf on the R44 at the Durbanville turn-off.

The girl was unfortunately already dead on arrival of paramedics. The exact details around the incident are not known but it is believed that the girl was on her way to school as she was wearing school uniform.

Police are investigating the incident.

Man Burnt to Death in Home

A man believed to be in his mid 30's sustained 100% burn wounds during the early hours of this morning when his house caught fire.

Shortly after 03:00 paramedics rushed to the house in Bophelong, Van Der Bijl Park, where they found the house still well alight. The Van Der Bijl Park Fire Department extinguished the home and conducted a search.

Members of the Fire Department found the man lying on the floor with serious burn wounds. Paramedics from ER24 rushed the man off to the Sebokeng hospital where he later died.

The cause for the fire is not yet known and will be investigated by the relevant authorities

1 Dead, 1 Airlifted and 16 Others Injured in Taxi Accident

A man has died and another sustained critical injuries after a head on collision on the R511 near the Indaba Hotel this morning.

Paramedics from ER24 and Life Fourways arrived on the scene shortly after 06:00 and found two taxis that collided head on with each other.

On further assessment paramedics found one man, believed to be the taxi driver, that sustained critical injuries. He had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital for further medical management. 16 Other patients were found scattered around the taxis. Most of them sustained moderate injuries.

One man was found dead on the scene. It is understood that he was the driver of the other taxi.

Bystanders explained that one of the taxi tried to overtake when it collided head on with oncoming traffic.

The R511 between Indaba Hotel and Uranium Street had to be closed off for traffic whilst the air ambulance landed on the scene.

The Johannesburg Metro Police attended the scene and will conduct an investigation

2010 Easter Awareness - Road Safety

It is finally Easter, a long weekend and school holidays combined. What could be more conducive to taking a break from work, leaving the rush of the city, and travelling to see family and friends you would not ordinarily see. This weekend, it seems, is the weekend where many families hit the coastal regions to spend the last days of the summer at the beach.

According to the Arrive Alive website, the N1, N2, N3 and N4 highways saw an average increase of 30 % more vehicles through the various toll plazas from 2008 to 2009 during the Easter weekend. Translate that into hard evidence, and it becomes a total of twenty thousand, three hundred and thirty two more cars on the road!

For this reason, every year around this time, we cannot stress enough the importance of road safety and awareness. Emergency Services collectively responded to 173 fatal accidents, where 197 people had sustained fatal injuries during Easter 2009. These numbers have decreased from 219 fatal accidents reporting 297 fatalities in 2008.

Although it is important for us to heed the warnings and remember the safety tips all year round, we would like to make a special request to those using the roads this Easter.

· Always wear your seatbelt when in a vehicle

(make sure they are – drivers as well as all passengers – in working condition before you start your journey)

· Children must be in a car seat relevant for their age group

(see ChildSafetyInfo.com for various specifications)

· Swap drivers where possible after 2 hours (or 160km) of continuous driving

(or stop to rest for at least 15 minutes – walk around and stretch)

· If scheduled to drive at night, rather stop and sleep over

· Always drive with your headlights on, whether during the day or at night

· Please obey the appropriate speed restrictions

(as we are all aware that our national roads are being upgraded, so speed restrictions may change for your safety)

· For Pedestrians: DO NOT walk on our national roads – it is illegal

---PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, DRIVE SAFELY---

Pietermaritzburg ( Curry’s Post ) N3 North Bound Between Lions River and Nottingham Road.

Sixty Eight commuters along with two bus crew have been stranded this afternoon after the bus they were travelling in caught alight.

ER24 along with other emergency personnel received a call saying that a bus was on fire and was uncertain if there were any injuries. Paramedics rushed to the scene to find a fully engulfed bus in the emergency lane. All the commuters had been evacuated and were standing a few meters up the freeway away from the fire. They were assessed and found that no was hurt in the incident.

The freeway was closed to traffic travelling north while Fire Department tired to extinguish the fire. The commuters had lost everything including two tourists from the United States as their passports and airplane tickets were all in the luggage compartment of the bus. Commuters were given some refreshments that ER24 had bought for them until further assistants had arrived

It is unclear what caused the bus to catch alight but it is believed that the bus may have had a mechanical problem causing the bus to catch a light. A second bus was sent to fetch the stranded commuters but broke down 1km after picking them up from the scene.

Pietermaritzburg ( Balgowan ) Curry’s Post

Nine security guards have been injured after the bakkie they were travelling in over turned on a gravel road this morning near Curry’s Post.

ER24 and EMRS arrived on the scene to find the bakkie lying on its side near a bend in the road. The guards were found seated near the rolled over bakkie. Two of the guards were treated for serious injuries. They had sustained possible neck and back injuries. The remaining seven had sustained minor injuries. All nine guards were transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic for further medical care.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control but the necessary authorities will investigate the accident.

Durban ( New Germany ) CNR of Shepstone and Koingkrammer road.

A collision involving a taxi and a light motor vehicle has left a driver and passenger injured this morning.

ER24 Medicopter Ground Support Unit was the first medical response to arrive on the scene first and found a light motor vehicle had rear ended a taxi at the intersection. The driver and passenger of the vehicle was found walking around the scene. Both patients had sustained multiple lacerations to their heads and would require further medical attention in hospital. They were stabilised and transported to R K Khans Hospital.

It is believed that the taxi was stationary at the robot when the driver of the light motor vehicle was blinded by the sun and had not seen the taxi was still stationary. There was no commuters in the taxi at the time of the accident.

Metro Police were on scene.

Pietermaritzburg ( Northdale ) CNR of New Grey Town and Allandale road.

A driver is in a serious condition while three other people have sustained minor injuries after a head on collision that took place yesterday evening at the corners of New Grey Town and Allendale road.

Er24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find a bakkie and a light motor vehicle involved in a collision, which were still in the middle of the road. The driver of the light motor vehicle was found entrapped behind the wheel of his car. He had sustained serious injuries and needed Advanced Life Support intervention. While paramedics were busy with the patient, the local Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate him from the vehicle. The patient was placed on specialised equipment before taking him out of the vehicle. The three occupants from the bakkie had sustained minor to moderate injuries. All the patients were transported to Northdale Hospital for further medical care.

It is unclear who was at fault but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.

Durban ( Hammersdale ) N3 North Bound near Peacevale.

Fifteen commuters have sustained serious injuries after the taxi they were travelling in over turned on the N3 north bound near Peacevale this morning.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find the taxi lying on its roof and blocking the emergency and far left hand lane of the freeway. The commuters had already climbed out of the taxi by the time emergency personnel had arrived on the scene and were found either seated or lying on the floor.

The fifteen patients were all treated for possible neck and back injuries. One patient had sustained a possible broken leg and arm. All the patients were stabilised on the scene and transported to various hospitals for further medical treatment.

It is believed that the taxi that was travelling towards Hammersdale at the time of the accident, had mechanical problems while coming around the corner. The driver lost control and rolled the taxi.

RTI and Fire Department were on scene and would investigate further into the cause of the accident.

Springs - 22 March 2010

A man, believed to be twenty seven-years-old, died after the VW Polo he was driving collided with a lamp-post and then into an electrical distribution box. The incident occurred on Springs West Street, in Springs.

The ER24 ambulance crew actually witnessed the incident as it happened. Unfortunately due to the live electrical wires they were unable to gain access to the man and assess him until the electricity had been turned off.

When the paramedics were able to assess the man, he was dead.

Cape Town [Joestenbergvlakte] N1 - 21 March 2010

Seven people died when a car crashed into a concrete barrier, on the N1, near Joestenbergvlakte.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the vehicle on its roof up against the concrete barrier and on fire. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department.

Initially emergency services could see two people that had died. One patient was found on the railway tracks below the N1, another person could be seen in the vehicle.

While the number of suspected dead changed a couple of times, once emergency services could gain proper access to the vehicle, another five people, including a child, were found dead.

Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident.

Pretoria [Eerste Rust] John Sydney Dr. - 21 March 2010

Two people are in a critical condition after a motorbike crashed into a lamp-post on John Sydney Drive, near Makenna Road, in Eerste Rust, Pretoria.

Both patients were in a critical condition on arrival of paramedics and needed advanced life support intervention. One patient was transported to Muelmed Medi-Clinic and the other to Steve Biko Hospital.

There was major damage to the motorbike and lamp-post. It is alleged that both men on the bike were not wearing helmets at the time of the incident. Metro Police, Tshwane Ambulance Service and Fire Department were also in attendance.

Vereeniging [Old Johannesburg Rd] 21 March 2010

One person died and three others were injured when the Renault Megane they were travelling in allegedly rolled and then collided into a tree, on Old Johannesburg Road, between Vereeniging and Roshnee.

The driver of the vehicle was dead on arrival of paramedics. A rear passenger sustained serious injuries and the front passenger, as well as another rear passenger, sustained moderate injuries. The patients were transported to Sebokeng Hospital for further medical care.

All the occupants of the vehicle were female and estimated to be between the ages of twenty five and thirty five.

The circumstances around the incident will be investigated by the police.

Vereeniging [R716] on 20 March 2010 at 08h40

Two people sustained serious injuries when a Truck smashed into a residential boundary wall on the R716, near the Groenpunt Prison, in Vereeniging.

Both the injured were occupants of the truck and were trapped in the vehicle. It took rescue workers around an hour to free the patients from the wreckage using hydraulic rescue equipment.

The patients were transported to Vereeniging Medi-Clinic for the further treatment of their serious injuries.

The cause of the incident is unknown.

N1 between Cape Town and Worcester on 19 March 2010

Eight people were injured in a collision on the N1, approximately ten kilometres past the Huguenot Tunnel, in the direction of Worcester.

One patient was in a serious condition and was airlifted to hospital by the ER24-Discovery Medicopter. Another seven patients were transported by ambulances to Worcester Medi-Clinic with minor injuries.

The exact details around the collision are unclear at this stage. The collision caused a major delay on the N1 towards Worcester, with bumper to bumper traffic being backed up for around six kilometres from the incident.

Sasol Berg – Heibron Road over Suiker Bos River on the 18 March 2010

Three females have drowned and two men of which one is in a critical condition and the other is in a serious condition after the vehicle they were travelling in crashed through the Armco barrier on Heibron road about 10km outside Sasol Berg into Suiker Bos river.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find the Sasol Berg Fire Department on the scene. They were taken to the location of the accident where a car had left the road and landed into the river. The car which was submerged under water, could only been seen by the roof sticking out from the road side. Three females who were found on the embankment, had already been declared deceased by emergency personnel. The two men of which one was in a critical condition was stabilised on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control and crash through the barrier but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident.

Pietermaritzburg ( Richmond ) R56 near Umkomas Valley on the 18 March 2010

A 45yr old man has been killed while working on a broken down truck on the R56 near the Umkomas valley this afternoon.

ER24 and EMRS arrived on the scene to find two trucks involved in a collision. The patient was found lying on the road after been placed there by fellow workers. Emergency personnel assessed the patient but was declared deceased due to the traumatic chest injuries he had sustained.

It is believed that the patient who is a mechanic was seated near the engine while the cabin compartment of the broken down truck was up. A second truck slammed into the back of the truck causing the cabin to close on the man on impact.

All necessary authorities were on scene and a investigation would be done into the accident. No other injuries were reported on the scene.

Another Person Seriously Injured In Cape Town Collision - 16 March 2010

Four people were injured in a collision between a Toyota Quantum taxi and a bakkie at the intersection of Vanguard Drive and Gunners Circle, in Epping Industria.

The driver of the bakkie was in a serious condition and was transported to Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital. A passenger from the taxi was also transported to Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in a moderate condition.

Two other occupants of the taxi sustained minor to moderate injuries were transported to Vanguard Day Hospital. The cause of the collision is unknown.

Cape Town - 16 March 2010

ER24 attended to numerous motor vehicle collisions this morning, with some incidents resulting in patients sustaining serious injuries.

In one incident a scooter collided with a car on Langeberg Road in Durbanville. The driver of the scooter sustained multiple injuries and was taken to Tygerberg Hospital for further medical care.

A pedestrian was hit by a car on the N1 near the Koeberg Interchange. When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the man in a critical condition lying wedged under the steel barrier. The patient later died in hospital.

In another incident, three school children were injured in an incident involving a minibus taxi, a truck and a car, on Potsdam Road in Killarney Gardens. An adult patient was also taken to hospital from the collision.


(Pictures of incident on Potsdam Road.)

Pietermaritzburg - Church St. - 15 March 2010 at 17h40

A six-year-old boy is in a serious condition after being hit by a minibus taxi on Church Street, in Pietermaritzburg CBD.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the little boy lying in the middle of the road, he had sustained multiple injuries and was in a serious condition.

Advanced life support treatment was initiated on the scene before the boy was transported to Greys Hospital for further medical care.

Police were in attendance and are investigating the incident.

Durban ( Nandi Drive ) Queen Nandi Drive Near Duffs Road on the 12 March 2010

A driver and passenger are in a serious condition after the delivery van that they were travelling in over turned on Queen Nandi Drive in the centre medium this morning.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find the panel van lying in the centre medium of the duel road with its contents lying all across the grass. The driver and passenger were both found outside the vehicle, had sustained possible neck and back injuries. The passenger had also sustained multiple lacerations to his hand and leg. They were stabilised on the scene with means of specialised equipment and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the delivery van but the necessary authorities were on scene and would investigate the accident.

Pietermaritzburg ( Claridge ) Otto’s Bluff Road on the 10 March 2010

Seven workers from Cape Town who are busy working in the area on a project have been injured this afternoon after the combi they were travelling in, over turned on the gravel part of Otto’s Bluff Road.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the vehicle lying on its side. Three patients were found lying on the gravel while the remaining four patients were found walking around on the scene. The three that were lying down had suffered multiple lacerations and was complaining of neck pains. They were placed on specialised equipment before been placed into an ambulance. The remaining four patients were treated for minor to moderate injuries. All the patients were transported to Pietermaritzburg Medi-Clinic for further medical treatment.

It is believed that the combi may have had mechanical problems causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and making it roll on the gravel road.

Durban ( Queensburgh ) Old Main Road Near Malvern SAPS on the 10 March 2010

A passenger from a taxi and a driver from a bakkie have sustained serious injuries after a collision on the Old Main Road this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the taxi in the left hand lane of the road, while the bakkie was across two lanes of the duel road. The driver of the bakkie was found still inside the vehicle. The man had sustained a laceration to his head and possible neck and back injuries. Specialised equipment was used to extricate the man from the vehicle.

The passenger of the taxi was found seated on the pavement. The patient was complaining of severe pains to her neck and back and had minor lacerations to her leg. Both patients were transported to R K Khans Hospital in a serious but stable condition for further medical treatment.

It is believed that the taxi had stopped in a non dedicated area on Old Main road. The driver of the bakkie was not able to move away quick enough and rear ended the taxi. The road was closed due to the accident but SAPS were on the scene to do the investigation.

Pietermaritzburg ( Oribi ) Oribi Village on the 10 March 09

A 36yr male is in a serious condition after been attacked by two pit bull dogs at his home this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find the man covered in blood and his clothes completely shredded. He had sustained multiple bite wound throughout his body and was in desperate need of medical attention. Advanced Life Support Intervention was performed on the man before being transported to Edendale Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It is believed that the man had just climbed out of his car and was walking towards his front door when he was attacked by the two dogs. It is unclear what caused the dogs to attack the man but the necessary authorities were on the scene and a full investigation would be done into the attack.

Durban ( Everton ) M13 Durban Bound between Everton and Kloof on the 10 March 2010

A driver and his passenger have been seriously injured after the truck they were travelling in over turned on the M13 Durban Bound between Everton and Kloof this afternoon.

ER24 arrived on the scene to find the truck lying on its side in the far left hand lane of the freeway. Both patients who had been found outside of the vehicle had climbed out through the windscreen before emergency personnel had arrived.

The driver and passenger had sustained possible neck and back injuries while the driver had possible chest injuries as well. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to Life Entabeni Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control but the necessary authorities were on the scene. Traffic was affected due to the accident. Only one lane was open for vehicles.

Durban ( Peacevale ) N3 Durban Bound near Peacevale on the 10 March 2010

A Road Traffic Inspector is in a serious condition after been struck down by a motorist on the N3 Durban Bound near Peacevale this morning.

ER24 Medicopter Ground Support Unit was the first to arrive on the scene and found the woman lying in the emergency lane of the freeway. Her collogue was seated next to her telling her not to move. The patient had suffered severe injuries to her leg and head, it was unclear if she had suffered any abdominal injuries at the time. Advanced Life Support intervention was performed on the patient before she was airlifted by a medical helicopter to Life Entabeni Hospital were casualty staff were waiting for her arrival.

It is believed that that officer was trying to pull over a taxi when she was hit by a light motor vehicle in the next lane. The impact caused the woman to be catapulted into the air and land in the emergency lane.

Pietermaritzburg ( Town Hill ) N3 Durban Bound Between Peter Brown and Chatterton On Ramp

A truck Driver is dead and seven construction works have been injured after three trucks were involved in a collision this morning on the N3 Durban bound just past Peter Brown off ramp.

ER24 along with EMRS and Netcare 911 arrived on the scene to find three trucks involved in the collision. The driver of the second truck who was still entrapped and had suffered traumatic injuries was declared deceased by emergency personnel on the scene.

Six construction workers who were from the third truck were treated on the scene. Four were treated for serious injuries, including the driver and another two were treated for minor to moderate injuries. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

It is believed that the first truck which was an articulated truck had crashed earlier in the evening and was in the emergency lane with part of it trailer still jotting out. The second truck which was carrying fish may have had mechanical problems which caused the truck driver to lose control and jack knife into the first truck. The construction vehicle crashed into the into the second truck at the time. The freeway has been closed and traffic has built all the way up Town Hill.

Kokstad ( R56 ) 10km Outside Kokstad Direction Swartberg

A bakkie carrying Twenty Five people has over turned on the R56 just outside Kokstad in the direction of Swartberg this morning.

EMRS and Res Q Med arrived on the scene to find the bakkie lying on its side with the canopy still connected but severely damaged. Emergency personnel were shocked to find that the bakkie was carrying twenty five people at the time of the accident. Four people were treated for serious injuries and another four were treated for minor to moderate injuries. They were stabilised on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. Paramedics were surprised that no one else was injured after the vehicle was so over loaded.

The bakkie was travelling along the R56 just outside Kokstad when it is believed that the vehicle started to have mechanical problems. The driver of the bakkie lost control and rolled the vehicle. It is also alleged that the driver ran away from the scene after the accident occurred.

RTI will be investigating the accident and why the vehicle was so over loaded.