Durban – Three people died tragically and four others were injured in two separate accidents in Durban on Saturday, as heavy rain battered the city.
According to ALS Paramedics Medical Services director Garrith Jamieson two people were killed and one person was injured in a taxi accident on Umbilo Road in Umbilo, just before 10am on Saturday.
Jamieson said paramedics had their work cut out when they arrived on the scene.
“It is alleged that a minibus taxi was being chased by the SAPS and security officials after a crime was committed, colliding with a truck at high speed,” he said.
He said a female passenger in the taxi was found to have sustained major injuries.
“There was nothing more Paramedics could do for her, and she was declared dead on the scene,” he said.
“The taxi driver was found trapped in the wreckage with critical injuries,” he said.
“He was stabilised on the scene by Advanced Life-Support Paramedics while eThekwini fire department used the ‘jaws of life’ and other hydraulic equipment to try to free the man. Once freed the driver was taken by ambulance to a nearby Durban hospital for the further treatment,” he said.
Jamieson later confirmed that the driver had succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
He said the truck driver sustained moderate injuries and was stabilised on the scene by ALS Paramedics before being transported to a nearby Durban hospital for further care.
“The SAPS were on the scene and will be investigating further,” he said.
∎ In a separate accident on Saturday, one person was killed and three others seriously injured in a horrific accident on Mt Batten Drive near Dolphin Avenue in Reservoir Hills, just after 12.10pm.
Jamieson said when paramedics arrived at the scene, they discovered that two vehicles had collided in a T-bone formation causing one vehicle to roll, and land on its side.
“Paramedics assessed the scene and found that two occupants in a bakkie were trapped in the wreckage. Advanced Life-Support Paramedics worked to stabilise them while Durban fire department rescue workers used the ‘jaws of life’, and other hydraulic equipment to free them,” he said.
Jamieson said the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
“One occupant in the bakkie believed to have been ejected, sustained major injuries and was declared dead on the scene,” he said.
Jamieson said the second driver was transported privately to hospital before paramedics arrived.
He said the SAPS were on the scene and are investigating further.
∎ In an alert on Saturday afternoon, ALS Paramedics Medical Services said there was chaos on Durban roads.
“ALS Paramedics have been kept extremely busy today in the rain and on the wet roads. Paramedics have attended to dozens of accidents, treating multiple patients,” said Jamieson.
ALS Paramedics advised motorists to take note of the following when driving in rainy weather:
- Be Patient.
- Reduce your speed.
- Allow extra travel time and leave a little earlier.
- Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy, check that your vehicle’s windscreen wipers are working properly and that your vehicle’s tyres are in good condition.
- In rain and misty weather conditions use your headlights so you are visible to other road users.