When a Netcare 911 ambulance crashed into a car wash on Paardekraal Drive killing a pedestrian this past Saturday evening, July 9, some members of the public speculated that the driver was inebriated.

But Netcare 911 has now released a statement about the incident clarifying what allegedly transpired.

We were deeply shocked and saddened to learn that, tragically, a pedestrian was fatally injured when our colleague suffered a sudden and incapacitating medical emergency while driving on Saturday night,” said Shalen Ramduth, Operations Director of Netcare 911.

“On behalf of all of us at Netcare 911 and Netcare, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We also pray for the recovery of our colleague who was injured in the accident.

“We appeal to the public to refrain from harmful speculation as we cooperate with the South African Police Services’ investigation into the cause of the accident,” concluded Ramduth.

The accident took place just past 19:00 at a carwash adjacent to Key West Shopping Centre.