MBOMBELA – Outstanding work by paramedic teams and Mbombela Fire and Rescue ensured that lives were saved on scene after a minibus taxi had overturned on the R40 near the Glenwood turn-off on Thursday morning. It left three people dead and 11 others fighting for their lives.
The scene was difficult to access as the road had been narrowed. The injured and critical passengers were rushed to Rob Ferreira Hospital and Mediclinic Nelspruit.
Capt Dawie Pretorius, Mbombela SAPS spokesman, confirmed that two victims had since died at Rob Ferreira Hospital, which brings the fatality count to five.
“The cause of the accident has yet to be determined. An SAPS forensic team will arrive today to investigate the wreck,” said Pretorius.
The taxi driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle before veering off the road. It rolled before it landed back on its wheels. Mangled car parts laid scattered over a wide area. Paramedics of Mpumalanga Emergency Medical Services, Netcare 911, ER24, Maponya 911, LifeMed and Hi-Tech Medical Services treated 14 people.
SAPS, Mbombela Traffic Department as well as the SAPS Special Crime Scene Investigations unit also tended to the scene.
Mr Willem Swart of Van Wettens Towing Services was the first to arrive and said, “The taxi stood on its wheels and people were already lying outside when I arrived.”
Mr Cobus Els, advanced life-support paramedic at Netcare 911 said, “There were 14 patients and we needed to assist those who were in a critical and semi-critical state as first priority,” he said.
“Those who were still trapped inside the wreck also had to be freed and treated,” said Mr Billy Shongwe, dispatcher at Mbombela Fire and Rescue.
Onlookers watched curiously as the events unfolded.
According to Ms Yvonne Fourie, owner of the Mabevonne Guest House, she heard a bang while she was busy in her front garden.
“This is not the first time that an accident has occurred in this area. People drive irresponsibly and take the corner too fast. It is scary to think that this tragedy happened only a couple of metres away,”
she remarked.
