Three killed as taxi ploughs into stationary truck near East Rand Mall
The freeway was closed for the duration of the rescue operation
Three people were killed and at least eight others sustained serious injuries when a taxi collided into the back of a stationary truck on the R21 south near East Rand Mall on Monday night.
Werner Vermaak of ER24 said various services arrived at the accident scene around 6.30pm where they found numerous people still trapped inside the taxi, while others had been ejected from the vehicle.
Three people were found with fatal injuries in the front of the taxi, including the driver. Those trapped inside the vehicle had to be rescued by the local fire department.
Also read:
• Truck crushes bakkie on R21, driver killed
• Two killed in two accidents within 15 minutes
• Motorcyclist killed as he ploughs into stationary car at accident scene
According to William Ntladi, spokesman for Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, the articulated truck was stationary in the middle lane of the freeway prior to the collision. “The Jaws of Life had to be used by the rescue team from Boksburg Fire Station,” he added.
“Eight passengers sustained critical injuries of which one was airlifted to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for further medical care, while the others were transported by road to The Life Glynnwood, Sunshine and Tambo Memorial hospitals by ambulances from various ambulance services. Another three patients sustained serious but stable injuries and were also transported to medical facilities across the City.”
The freeway was closed for the duration of the rescue operation.
Nick Dollman of Netcare 911 said the broken down truck appeared to be full of glass.
“The Netcare 911 helicopter was called to the scene and the flight crew attended to a 27-year-old male victim who was in a critical condition with multiple serious injuries. He was placed on a ventilator and then airlifted to an awaiting trauma unit for further urgent care,” Dollman said.
