[PIETERMARITZBURG – 27 JULY 2011 AT 07H00]
A truck driver is in a serious condition after been entrapped inside his truck when it crashed into a tree on the New Hanover and Old Grey Town Road, just outside Pietermaritzburg this morning.
ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found the truck firmly lodged into the tree, making the rescue and extrication very difficult. A tow truck and ER24 rescue vehicle used their winches from their vehicles to pull the truck away from the tree to try and gain some sort of access to the patient. Once the truck was freed, the Fire Department used the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic equipment to extricate the patient from the vehicle. The patient required advanced life support intervention and specialised equipment to stabilise him further. Once freed the patient was transported to Northdale Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
It is believed that wet weather and misty conditions could have played a role in this collision but the local authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.
Derrick Banks, ER24
Road users may call 083 343 9565 or 071 680 3448 (all hours) for any information regarding road closures, alternative routes, weather patterns, emergencies and tips on driving in adverse conditions.