Four people were injured, two critically so, when an out of control vehicle slammed into two other cars on the M4 Ruth First Highway near the Broadway turnoff this afternoon.
It is thought that the driver of a vehicle heading towards Umhlanga had lost control of the car and veered across the grassed median and into oncoming traffic. The car collided head on with another, which spun out of control and struck a car vehicle travelling in the same direction towards the CBD.
When Netcare 911 Paramedics arrived at the scene they found three cars, two of which were overturned, completely obstructing the carriageway.
The driver of the Umhlanga bound vehicle was critically injured, and was placed on a manual ventilator by advanced life support paramedics at the scene. He sustained multiple fractures, as well as head, spinal and possible internal injuries. He was flown by the Air Mercy Services Helicopter to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban for further medical care. He is in a critical but stable condition.
The driver of the car he slammed into was trapped in the crushed remains of her car. Netcare 911 Paramedics and eThekwini Metro Fire-fighters used the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic rescue equipment to free the critically injured woman. Once rescued, she was stabilised and treated before she was transported to Netcare Umhlanga Hospital by ambulance in a critical but stable condition.
An elderly couple were seriously injured in the snarl up when their car overturned. They were also transported to Netcare Umhlanga hospital by ambulance. They are in a stable condition.
Thoroughfare on the roadway was cut of and all Durban bound traffic was diverted at Virginia.
Photo by Chris Botha
Jeff Wicks
Netcare 911
