Accident Leaves Man Severely Entrapped in His Vehicle

The accident between two bakkies and a one ton truck left the driver of one of the bakkies severely entrapped in his vehicle.

The accident occurred at around 07h30 this morning on Handicap Road in Ruimsig, West of Johannesburg. The cause of the accident is not known, but ER24 paramedics on the scene explained that the bakkie that the fourty year old man was travelling in was almost unrecognisable due to the damage. The entire dashboard and steering column was covering the man's lower body, and his legs were entrapped. On first assessment it was noted that he had sustained a severe break to his right arm, and it was stabilised using a splint.

Roodepoort Fire and Rescue Services were on the scene to provide stabilisation to the damaged vehicle, and they needed to use the Jaws of Life to cut away at the wreck to try and free the man. During the ninety minute grueling task of extrication, where Rescue services had to carefully cut at the vehicle, paramedics were stabilising the man, providing him with comforting support, protecting him from possible further injury as the vehicle was cut, and supplying him with the necessary pain medication. The ER24 Discovery Medicopter was also activated to airlift the patient once he had been removed. Paramedics treating the man explained that the he was in a curious state of calm throughout the entire process, and only cried out in pain upon movement or pressure on his legs.

Once the wreck was removed, it was possible for paramedics to assess the damage that he had sustained to his lower body. He had breaks to both of his lower legs and right ankle. He was further stabilised before being removed from the vehicle. The Medicopter flew him to a nearby hospital where he will receive treatment for his injuries.

A woman who was in the other bakkie had sustained a broken arm, and two other men had sustained minor injuries. The three patients were transported by road ambulance to nearby hospitals for treatment.