KIMBERLEY 11 January 2012, 11:40
4 people have died and 9 others sustained serious injuries after a minibus taxi and a truck collided head-on, on the Boshof road approximately 15 kilometers outside of Kimberley.
When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they could see that the collision was severe as the minibus taxi had sustained substantial damage. 1 Male and 3 female adults sustained severe fatal injuries and were unfortunately later declared dead at the scene.
Rescue workers from the local fire and rescue services were dispatched to the scene as the minibus taxi had crumbled inwards from the impact entrapping some of the occupants in the twisted metal and rubber. Rescue workers used specialised hydraulic rescue equipment to cut the wrecked minibus taxi in order to free the entrapped occupants.
Amongst the surviving 9 injured occupants were 2 children. Fortunately they sustained only minor injuries in the form of multiple cuts and bruises. Various Emergency Medical Services treated the patients for injuries ranging from suspected back and neck injuries to broken legs and head injuries. All of the patients were later transported to a nearby medical facility in the area.
The Boshof road between Kimberly and Boshof remained closed for traffic while rescue workers attended the scene. Local law enforcement officials who attended the scene will be investigating the cause of the collision further.
Andre Visser, ER24