Over 30 people died and at least 55 were injured in transport-related incidents across the county over the Easter long weekend ER24‘s Chitra Bodasing said in a statement.

According to Bodasing “These figures relate only to incidents attended to by ER24.”

The Road Traffic Management Corporation on Monday stated more than 700 motorists were arrested for various traffic violations across the country over the Easter weekend.

“Overall ER24 noticed that the number of emergency calls attended to were lower than 2014. ER24 attended to just over 400 collisions across the country this year.

“Although the call numbers were lower, the impact these collisions had on people were quite severe. Where injuries were sustained, these ranged from minor to critical. Incidents included several modes of transport including taxis, trucks and motorbikes.”

Some tragic incidents attended to by ER24 included:

• A collision in which five people died when a truck and light motor vehicle collided on the N5 near Bethlehem in the Free Sate.
• A collision between a bakkie and light motor vehicle during which one man was killed and seven others injured on the R34 in Utrecht, KwaZulu Natal
• An incident that resulted in the death of three people on Villiers Road in the Vaal. Two other people were injured.
• A taxi incident on Dinkleman Road in New Germany, KwaZulu Natal, that left three people dead and 10 others injured.
• A collision between a bakkie and taxi that resulted in the death of 10 people on the N1 in Limpopo. 12 other people were injured.
• A collision between a bakkie and light motor vehicle that resulted in the death of two women and two others critically injured on the R29 near Leandra in Mpumalanga.
• A collision between two vehicles that led to the death of two men and six injured on the R40 outside of Hazyview, Mpumalanga.

Bodasing added “Our busiest branch was Durban followed by Johannesburg North. The third busiest branch was Johannesburg West followed by Cape Town East. The holidays and long weekends are not over.”

ER24 urges motorists to keep in mind the number of fatalities and injuries sustained over the past weekend. Be patient, do not consume alcohol and drive and make sure you are fully rested especially before driving long distance.

ER24 will continue to be on standby and will definitely attend where needed.

ER24’s Emergency Contact Centre can be reached 24 hours a day on 084 124 for any medical emergency.