Two killed as refuse removal truck overturns on Soutpansberg Drive
A third man was airlifted from the scene
Two people were killed and one critically injured when an empty Ekurhuleni refuse removal truck overturned on Soutpansberg Drive in Van Riebeeck Park this afternoon.
The accident happened shortly after 3pm on a slight downhill bend opposite a townhouse complex. Marks on the scene indicated the truck skidded several meters before coming to a standstill only meters away from the complex’s perimeter wall.
Werner Vermaak of ER24 said one person was found lying at the back of the truck. Sadly, there was nothing paramedics could do for him and he was declared dead on the scene.
“Upon further assessment, paramedics found two people trapped halfway under the truck near the cabin. One of them was found with fatal injuries and declared dead. The other person was in a critical condition.
“Paramedics were unable to remove him from underneath the truck and a large towing vehicle was called to the scene to partially lift the truck to free him. Once freed, paramedics found he sustained severe traumatic injuries,” Vermaak said.
He was placed on life support and airlifted from the scene by the Netcare 911 helicopter, which landed in the open veld next to the wetland.
Rescue workers struggled for over an hour to free the trapped man.
Two other workers were found near the truck with moderate injuries. They were assessed, treated and transported to a nearby hospital.
The road was closed to traffic for several hours.
