A taxi has literally been crushed between two trucks on the N2 North between Spaghetti Junction and Wandsbeck Road in Durban.
All three vehicles were travelling in the same direction when the accident happened, but the cause is still not clear. The entire north bound carriageway of the highway has been closed and traffic has been brought to a complete standstill. The south bound carriageway is being used for Emergency Vehicle access.
The fully laden taxi was wedged between the front of a container truck and the back of a refrigerator truck, with five of the occupant in a critical condition, still entrapped in the wreckage. One person had already died in the taxi due to extensive injuries.
A man was treated on scene before the Air Mercy Service Helicopter landed on scene to take him to a nearby provincial hospital for treatment of his injuries. The Fire and Rescue Services used the Jaws of Life to cut the wreckage open in order to free the trapped occupants. Paramedics treated the injured and loaded them into waiting ambulances for transport to hospital.
In total, 29 people needed treatment for their injuries after being involved in the accident. The remaining patients were found outside of the wrecked vehicles and had sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24