SARON 30 January 2012, 07:00
8 People have died and 48 others sustained various injuries after a truck, allegedly transporting farm workers, collided with a bridge on the R44 approximately 8 kilometers from Gouda.
As Emergency Medical Personnel arrived at the scene they could see that the collision was severe. The cause of the collision is unknown, but the rear of the truck had became completely dislodged during the collision and proceeded to fall off the side of the bridge.
8 people were found at the scene with severe injuries and were unfortunately later declared dead at the scene. Another 48 individuals sustained various injuries. 8 people sustained serious injuries including various broken bones, head and chest injuries, suspected back and neck injuries as well as various scrapes and bruises. The remaining 40 individuals received treatment at the scene before being transported to various medical facilities in the surrounding area.
The ER24 Discovery Medicopter as well as the AMS helicopter was dispatched to the scene. Each helicopter airlifted a critically injured patient to a medical facility.
Various other Emergency Medical Services including the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health: Emergency Medical Services, ambulances and rescue services attended the scene. The rescue team used a large crane to stabilise the rear load bed of the truck involved in the collision, so that rescue workers could get to the injured individuals.
Local law enforcement officials attended the scene and would be investigating the incident further.
Andre Visser, ER24