Road Safety In The Media News Section

Overtaking taxi crashes head-on leaving 7 dead near Maseru

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:15:14 +0200

9 February 2012

Seven people were killed when a minibus taxi crashed into a car on the N8 shortly before noon near Maseru on Thursday, Free State police said.

The Toyota Quantum carrying 15 passengers from Ladybrand to Maseru was overtaking on a sharp downhill curve when it crashed head-on into a Mercedes Benz with four occupants, Sergeant Martin Xuma said.

The taxi rolled several times before catching fire. Four people in it burnt to death.

Three people in the Mercedes died.

Eleven people, including an occupant of the Mercedes Benz and the taxi driver, were injured and taken to various hospitals.

Firefighters had to use the jaws of life to free two bodies trapped in the Mercedes.

A culpable homicide docket had been opened.

- SAPA

Man critical after head-on collision in Melkbosstrand

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:47:54 +0200

9 February 2012

One man is in a critical condition following a head-on collision in Melkbosstrand this afternoon.

The cause of the collision is unknown, but a Lotus sports vehicle and a Honda had collided head-on at speed. When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found that the single occupant and driver of the Lotus sports vehicle was in a critical condition.

The man aged 49 had sustained a severe head injury as well as a broken right leg. Paramedics administered Advanced Life Support treatment to the man at the scene before rapidly transporting him to Mediclinic Milnerton for further care.

The single driver of the Honda received treatment and transportation from the scene by another ambulance service. Local law enforcement officials who attended the scene will be investigating the incident further.

Andre Visser, ER24

18 school children injured in De Deur accident

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:39:05 +0200

8 February 2012

18 school children and 3 men have sustained various injuries after a taxi and a bakkie crashed into one another on Middle Road in De Deur this morning.

At this stage it is not clear as to what the actual cause of the accident was, but the taxi that was transporting the children was extensively damaged. The double cab Colt bakkie crashed into the right hand side of the school bus, pushing it off the road.

The 18 children, all aged between 7 and 10 years old, had suffered minor to moderate injuries only, and paramedics assessed and treated them all at the scene before taking them to Sebokeng or Kopanong Hospitals for further care. The driver of the taxi was also taken per ambulance to hospital.

The two occupants of the bakkie suffered relatively minor injuries. Is is believed that the bakkie had come from Lesotho.

Police at the scene will investigate what caused the accident.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

Farm incident with tractor leaves man's arm injured

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:02:36 +0200

7 February 2012

A 60 year old man has sustained a severe injury to his left arm after an incident at a farm in Bapsfontein this morning.

The man was allegedly working on a tractor when he got his arm caught up in one of the shafts. Rescuers spent almost 40 minutes trying to free the man's arm. There was severe tissue damage to the injured arm but the man was in a stable condition. He had also sustained minor burn injuries to his chest.

He was treated by the Advanced Life Support Paramedic on the scene before being taken to the Life Glynnwood Hospital by ambulance for further care.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

Man killed and dismembered when knocked down by train in Johannesburg

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:36:09 +0200

6 February 2012

A man was killed and dismembered by a train at the George Goch train station in Johannesburg on Monday morning, Johannesburg emergency management services said.

“It is believed that the man was on his way to work and was running to catch the train. He was knocked by the train while on the platform,” spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.

“He was dismembered by the train and died on the scene.”

This is the second man dismembered by a train in as many days in the Johannesburg area.

On Saturday morning, a security guard was killed at Tooronga train station.

Mulaudzi urged the community to be aware of their surroundings and to make sure the train stops first before boarding. - Sapa

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