CAPE TOWN N7 [Melkbos Turn Off] 15:00 13 January 2013
At least two people were killed in a taxi accident on the N7 near the Melkbos turn off in Cape Town this afternoon.
Shortly after 15:00 paramedics were summoned to the scene after receiving distress calls from bystanders. It is understood that a taxi, possibly traveling south on the N7 lost control and overturned several times, ejecting all of its occupants.
Paramedics on the scene found 19 people that were involved. Paramedics found nine women and one man with multiple injuries and another that sustained fatal injuries. She was declared dead on the scene. Amongst the adults, paramedics found nine children, ranging between six and 10 years of age, and one three month old baby.
One of the children was in a critical condition and sustained serious head injuries and a partial amputation of his leg. Ground paramedics activated AER24 to airlift the child to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital for further medical care. Sadly the child succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at hospital. Efforts by paramedics and hospital staff could not save his life.
Quick and efficient team work between Western Cape Fire & EMS, ER24, and other services made it possible to stabilize the seriously injured patients on the scene before rushing them off to nearby hospitals in the area.
It is not clear why the taxi overturned. It is understood that no other vehicles were involved in this incident.
Werner Vermaak
ER24