Vryheid and Newcastle-based KZPA medical teams were stretched over five hours yesterday afternoon and evening, responding to seven separate collisions between 15h00 and 20h00 as a cold front brought rain, snow and treacherous driving conditions to the region. Eleven people were injured across the incidents, with crashes concentrated on the R34 between Bloedriver and the N11, as well as in Vryheid town and on the N11 at Ingogo.
The most dramatic incident occurred on the R34 at Bloedriver Poort, where a family's vehicle lost control, left the roadway and landed in a nearby dam. Advanced Paramedics deployed water rescue techniques in near-freezing conditions to bring all four occupants to safety. In addition to their crash-related injuries, patients were treated for hypothermia after prolonged exposure to the cold water. The mother sustained serious injuries, including suspected fractures, while the father and two children — an estimated 10-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy — sustained minor injuries.
A second vehicle lost control and overturned in the same stretch of the R34, leaving three occupants with minor injuries.
In Vryheid, a bakkie lost control on Kerk Street and collided with a tree, leaving two patients with serious injuries, including suspected chest injuries and fractures.
On the N11 at Ingogo, a two-vehicle collision left three patients with minor injuries.
All patients were stabilised on scene by KZPA's medical team and transported to hospitals in the area for further treatment. KZPA is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution while the cold front persists, with rain, snow and icy conditions continuing to affect road surfaces across the region.