Pinehaven’s deadly decade: The crashes that claimed lives
TIMELINE: Drawing on more than a decade of reports, the News investigated major crashes at the Pinehaven intersection, which has claimed numerous lives over the years.
The Pinehaven intersection is known for frequent serious crashes, prompting the News to investigate the situation.
The News reviewed more than a decade of archives to compile a timeline of the most serious incidents that occurred there.
On July 17, 2014, the News had already reported growing calls to address the issue after two separate crashes within 24 hours claimed two lives.
On December 6, 2016, two light motor vehicles collided, resulting in a pedestrian being knocked over.
• Also read: West Rand EMS speaks out after Pinehaven intersection crash leaves six injured
“ER24 paramedics, along with another service, found the man lying on the side of the road only a short distance away from one of the vehicles. The other vehicle was found in the emergency lane where it had come to a stop. According to eyewitnesses, the two light motor vehicles had collided, sending one of them off the road and into the pedestrian. Paramedics assessed the man and found that he had sustained numerous injuries, leaving him in a serious condition. The man was treated for his injuries and provided with advanced life support interventions and later transported to Leratong Hospital for further treatment,” cited the article.
On April 4, 2017, one person was declared dead on the scene, and another was in a critical condition after two cars collided.
July 24, 2017, saw two truck crashes at the intersection on the same day, with one overturning, allegedly after its brakes failed, and the second colliding with a bus. Luckily, there were no serious injuries reported.
The News reported on May 14, 2018, on multiple vehicles that crashed, including two trucks – one carrying beverages and the other carrying prepackaged dried foods. There were no fatalities reported.
• Read the initial article here: Medical helicopter called after Pinehaven horror crash: 6 left injured
Later that year, on November 18, an oil truck tipped over, which caused a spill.
On October 7, 2022, the News reported on a horror crash involving at least two trucks and multiple vehicles.
“It has been confirmed that a man and woman were killed and three others injured following a horror crash between two trucks and two light motor vehicles at the N14 and R28 intersection in Pinehaven early Friday morning, October 7,” read an update. A few days later, it was reported that another man died in hospital from his injuries.
On October 12, 2023, another horror crash was reported, with three dead and another three critically injured. One person was also airlifted by helicopter after a truck collided with a taxi.
“On arrival at the scene, paramedics were met with absolute carnage as the twisted frames of multiple light and heavy-duty vehicles occupied the roadway and embankments,” the News reported.
• Also read: Two-truck crash near Pinehaven intersection: 3 injured
It was revealed that there were 20 people injured and two of the three who died were children.
On March 2, 2024, a crash involved a construction vehicle carrying sand and a taxi, which had 20 reported injuries, and no deaths were reported.
September 26, 2024, saw two incidents – one at the start of the day and the other in the afternoon. There were only minor injuries reported.
On November 14, 2024, two vehicles and a truck crashed, leaving one person with moderate injuries and two with light injuries.
March 26 this year saw another truck, whose brakes had allegedly failed, crash into two light vehicles and another truck. This left one person injured.
July 2 had a crash involving two trucks, which left three people injured, one of whom was trapped in one of the trucks.
The latest crash at the time of writing, on August 12, saw six people injured, with two fighting for their lives. It involved two trucks, a bakkie, and an SUV. At least 15 Emergency Services were on scene. A helicopter also had to airlift one of the patients from the scene.
“On our arrival, we found two trucks, a bakkie and a Pajero SUV. Two patients were entrapped in one of the trucks and we managed to extricate both. One truck carried cement and the entire intersection heading towards Pretoria was covered with it,” said West Rand Emergency Services’ regional commander, Gerhard Nieuwoudt.
