[UNDERBERG – 23 DECEMBER 2011 AT 10H00]
Two people have lost their lives and three others have sustained minor to moderate injuries after a head on collision between a taxi and a Toyota Tazz on the R617 about 1km outside of Underberg in the direction Himeville this morning.
ER24 paramedics along with Berg Protection and EMRS arrived on the scene and found the vehicles in the middle of the road with extensive damage. The driver of the taxi was found outside of his vehicle unharmed. The front passenger of the Tazz was in a critical condition and unresponsive. He was removed from the vehicle and CPR along with Advanced Life Support Intervention was started. Unfortunately the patient was later declared deceased on the scene due to the fatal injuries.
The driver of tazz who is believed to be in his late 40’s was severely entrapped in the vehicle. ER24 paramedic with the help of Berg Protection had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate him from the vehicle. Advanced Life Support Intervention was performed on the patient while he was being extricated from the vehicle. The driver started to deteriate on scene once freed from the wreckage. Emergency personnel tried everything to save him but unfortunately he too had succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene.
The three passengers that were in the back of the Tazz suffered minor cuts and abrasions. They were stabilised on scene and transported to Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg for further medical care.
The necessary authorities will investigate the accident further.
Derrick Banks, ER24