Simulation prepares emergency service teams

Traffic came to a standstill for at least two hours when different emergency service teams conducted an accident drill on the R521 to Mogwadi on Friday.
The road was closed from the Polokwane Municipal Traffic Department in Ladanna forcing motorists en-route to destinations such as Lesedi Park and Moletjie to use alternative routes. Emergency services observed on the scene include firefighters, paramedics, forensic pathology, Police and traffic officials. The accident simulation involved two vehicles, a sedan and bakkie transporting flammable material.

Provincial Police spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that the drill was led by the Police and aimed to check the response time of different emergency services and the manner in which they handle horrific accidents. He further said such exercises are carried out often to keep teams on their toes and again to test the functionality of emergency vehicles and equipment.
Motorists who were made to wait for the road to be cleared seemed impatient with some heard suggesting that such operations be conducted on a Sunday to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Ngoepe responded by urging residents to be patient when encountering such exercises as he indicated that these were conducted to prepare emergency teams for accidents that might occur in the province.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za