Vryheid and Newcastle-based KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service (KZPA) medical teams were stretched to the limit over five hours yesterday afternoon and evening (August 10) as they responded to seven separate collisions between 15:00 and 20:00.

This after a cold front brought rain, snow and treacherous driving conditions to the region.

According to Craig Botha of KZPA, 11 people were injured in these incidents, with crashes concentrated along the R34 between Blood River and the N11, as well as in Vryheid and on the N11 at Ingogo.

Family rescued from icy water

“The most dramatic incident occurred on the R34 at Blood River Poort, where a family’s vehicle lost control, left the roadway and landed in a nearby dam,” said Botha.

He said that advanced paramedics used water rescue techniques in near-freezing conditions to bring all four occupants to safety.

“In addition to their crash-related injuries, the patients were treated for hypothermia after prolonged exposure to the cold water.”

The mother sustained serious injuries, including suspected fractures, while the father and two children (10-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy) sustained minor injuries.

A second vehicle lost control and overturned along the same stretch of the R34, leaving three occupants with minor injuries.

More crashes reported across the region

On the N11 at Ingogo, a two-vehicle collision left three patients with minor injuries.

In Vryheid, a bakkie lost control in Kerk Street and smashed into a tree, leaving two patients with serious injuries, including suspected chest injuries and fractures.

“All patients were stabilised at the scene by KZPA’s medical teams and transported to hospitals in the area for further treatment,” said Botha.

KZPA is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution while the cold front persists, with rain, snow and icy conditions continuing to affect road surfaces across the region.

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