N4, NW/GP border
12:30
Paramedics have literally just finished on scene of a fatal crash that happened on the N4 outside of Akasia in the area of De Wildt at the Gauteng North West border.
Urgent calls and logs on social media were frantic, explaining that about 15 vehicles had collided into one another. When the paramedics and rescuers arrived on scene they found 7 light motor vehicles, three trucks and a minibus Sprinter had collided into one another, and the cause was possibly due to extremely poor visibility in the area due to a roadside veld fire.
Paramedics immediately began assessing the injured and they found that the driver of one of the vehicles had died as well as a woman who had been a passenger in the taxi. Attempts at resuscitation of the woman were unsuccessful and she too was declared dead.
Two other men had suffered critical injuries, the one was initially talking to paramedics and he then crashed, leaving paramedics placing him onto life support and calling in the assistance of AER24. His multiple injuries has left him in a critical condition at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital after being airlifted from scene. The second critically injured patient was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
Approximately 39 other patients were treated for minor or moderate injuries and they too were taken to hospitals in the area for further assessment and care.
At this time police are still on scene for investigation purposes, and the road will remain closed during recovery of the damaged vehicles.
Photos will be available for download from www.flickr.com/er24ems
Vanessa Jackson’
ER24
Also view:
Safe Driving near Veld and Forest Fires
Photo with the drone by Accident Investigator Stan Bezuidenhout