Worker killed, 17 Injured in bakkie and truck crash on R59 in Alberton
Eighteen workers were thrown across the freeway after a bakkie collided with a truck, forcing the closure of the R59 southbound near the Michelle Avenue off-ramp on Friday evening.
One construction worker died and 17 others were injured after the bakkie they were travelling in collided with an articulated truck on the R59 freeway in Alberton on Friday evening.
According to DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi, the crash happened at about 18:25 on March 13 on the southbound lanes near the Michell Avenue off-ramp.
Emergency services from the City of Ekurhuleni responded to the scene after receiving reports of the crash.
When rescuers arrived, they found that 18 construction workers who had been travelling in the back of a bakkie had been thrown across the freeway after the vehicle crashed into a truck travelling in the same direction.
“The driver of the bakkie allegedly lost control of the vehicle while the truck was following from behind. In the process, the articulated truck, which was loaded with metal pipes, crashed into the back of the bakkie, scattering all 18 occupants across the freeway,” said Ntladi.
One male passenger died at the scene from fatal injuries sustained in the crash. The remaining 17 occupants suffered injuries ranging from moderate to severe.
“Paramedics treated the injured workers at the scene before transporting them to various medical facilities around Ekurhuleni for further treatment.
“The driver of the truck and his assistant escaped the crash without injuries,” added Ntladi.
The crash brought the southbound lanes of the R59 to a complete halt as emergency teams worked to rescue and treat the injured and clear the roadway.
Rescuers, traffic officers, members of the CPF and other stakeholders worked together to manage the scene and assist the victims.
Traffic was diverted through the Michelle Avenue off-ramp while emergency personnel conducted rescue operations and cleared the scene.
Ntladi confirmed that the body of the deceased was removed by forensic pathology services and taken to a local pathological facility.
The freeway was reopened to traffic at about 21:45 once the scene had been cleared and normal traffic flow restored.
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