One dead and 19 injured in horror crash
One critically injured patient was flown to Rob Ferreira in Mbombela. He died an hour after he was admitted.
LYDENBURG – One passenger died and 19 were injured in an accident on the Dullstroom Road today.
According to hazmat operator, Mr Deon Broekman, a bakkie on the Dullstroom Road was carrying 18 passengers on the back and one in front when the driver apparently swerved out for a pothole, lost control over the vehicle and rolled it.
Broekman, who was first on the scene summoned five ambulances for assistance. Three came from Lydenburg and two from Belfast. He also called in the help of an EMS helicopter. “As soon as I reached the scene, I authorised the flight for the helicopter from Mbombela. On scene, we treated all 20 patients and used no less than five medical jumper bags.”
Broekman said that of the 20 patients they treated, 18 had serious injuries ranging from fractured arms and legs, head injuries and possibly internal injuries.
Injured passengers were scattered over the scene. Some were even lying in the grass on the side of the road, which had to be closed for several hours. Motorists had to take alternative routes to get to town.
Ambulances had to make several round trips to take the patients to Lydenburg Hospital. One critically injured patient was flown to Rob Ferreira in Mbombela. He died an hour after he was admitted.
