Thirteen people were injured this morning when a taxi overturned several times on the M5 in Maitland, Cape Town.
At approximately 7am, paramedics from ER24, Metro EMS and other emergency services arrived on the scene where they found the taxi standing in a nearby veld next to the highway. All of its occupants were ejected from the taxi. One person was found with fatal injuries and declared dead on the scene.
Three people were found with critical injuries. One of them was placed on life support on the scene. Four others sustained serious injuries while the rest of the patients sustained minor to moderate injuries.
The driver was the only occupant trapped inside of the vehicle. Metro EMS had to use rescue equipment to free him from the wreckage.
The exact cause of the incident is not yet known. However, it is believed the taxi collided with a lamppost before overturning.
Local authorities attended the scene and will conduct an investigation.
Werner Vermaak
ER24 Spokesperson