Surgeon amputates man’s lower legs after being crushed in truck crash
Netcare 911 responded to a collision on the R21 near the 1-Stop in Esselenpark, East Rand on Thursday morning.
Reports indicated that the driver of a heavy motor vehicle transporting oranges lost control, resulting in a roll-over.
The driver, an adult male, sustained serious injuries and was trapped in the wreckage of the crushed cab.
“Rescue crews worked fervently to free the man using hydraulic tools; however, due to the mechanism of the entrapment were not able to do so,” said Shawn Herbst, media liason from Netcare 911.
Following consultation between senior medical doctors, a trauma surgeon from a specialised Netcare emergency department was brought to the scene to evaluate options.
“As a last resort to save the rapidly deteriorating patient’s life, surgical amputation of both limbs below the knee was carried out.
“Once freed, the patient was stabilised by the doctor before being flown by Netcare 911 helicopter ambulance to a specialist facility for the urgent care he required,” he concluded.
