40 replies to this topic

[driver]

I get daily updates of smashes and rescues from the big emergency services. I post the details here. Sometimes its the reason you were stuck in that kilometer snarl-up, sometimes it's just good advice from people in the know.

Please note, none of the images will be worse than you find in a newspaper. You will never see a body.

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Netcare 911 spokesman Nick Dollman:

At approximately 02h33 on Friday morning 27 March 2009, Netcare 911 paramedics responded to reports of a very serious head-on collision between two cars on the M1 towards Sandton near to the Athol Oaklands offramp, north of Johannesburg.

It appeared that the white car was travelling on the wrong side of the highway when it collided with the green car. Both drivers sustained very serious injuries following the massive impact and the female passenger in the green car died at the scene. Both drivers were transported by ambulances to the Netcare Sunninghill and Charlotte Maxeke hospitals. Fire fighters had to use the "jaws of life" to free the body of the female passenger from the severely damaged green car.

Sadly while paramedics were attending to the injured victims, a reckless driver then crashed into the accident scene. Eye witnesses alleged that the Mercedes was exceeding the speed limit and skidded between two Metro Police vehicles before colliding with a tow truck and two emergency vehicles including an ambulance. The ambulance sustained serious damage and had to be towed from the scene. Another ambulance had to be called to remove the injured from the first collision.
The driver of the unlicensed Mercedes failed a breathalyzer test and was arrested by the Metro Police at the scene. Two paramedics were in the vehicles at the time of the impact and were very fortunate not to have been seriously injured.

The public are urged to slow down and approach emergency scenes with caution. Although a paramedics job is very rewarding we often have to work in dangerous situations. Rescue workers are not immune to serious injuries and like everyone else we look forward to returning to our loved ones after a hard shift. Please do your bit to make sure that we are safe at emergency scenes.

This incident was attended to by paramedics from the private and provincial ambulance services, fire department and the Metro Police.

END!

[c0d3r]

I hope that some action will be taken against the driver of the white car. HTF do you get onto the wrong side of the highway??

[Deezil]

You seem to have missed my accident close to the corner of Lynwood and Simon Vermooten last night but then again you can't be notified of every single accident that occurs in and around Gauteng!

Anyway, just a word of caution (for fellow Pretorians!) ... if traveling in the vicinity of Lynwood and you have to turn into Simon Vermooten going towards the N1, it is not a one way! (actually quite difficult to notice in the dark!) With all the roadworks going on in the area and me being fairly unfamiliar with the area I didn't even think twice about driving in the right hand lane, there was even a middle island on my right hand side but big was my surprise when I went around the first bend and saw a bakkie heading straight towards me! I swerved to the left to avoid him but unfortunately the oncoming bakkie swerved to his right and connected me on the right rear passenger door!

Luckily everybody involved walked away from the accident scott free but I'm almost convinced that both my car and the bakkie will be write offs! I have to admit that although technically I caused the accident I don't feel very guilty, just extremely peed off about the terrible road markings. Another thing that surprised me was the fact that there were 3 towtrucks on the scene within seconds after the accident (and I mean literally seconds ... they were on the scene before I could get out of my car!) and that to me is an pretty clear indication that this particular area is an accident hotspot!

So ja, to make a long sobby story short, please take care if you drive in an unfamiliar area, especially if there is major roadworks taking place! (Which is almost everywhere nowadays!)

Edited by Deezil, 28 March 2009 - 01:45 AM.

[driver]

WELTEVREDENPARK - Roodepoort - N1 North at 14th Avenue on 05 April 2009 at 00:30

Three women and a man was injured in the early hours of this morning when the Opel Corsa bakkie they were traveling in overturned on the N1 highway.

According to witnesses on the scene, a Mercedes SUV apparently swerved for debris in the middle of the road and collided with the bakkie, causing the driver to lose control.

The bakkie overturned several times when it smashed through the road works station in the right hand lane of the highway. The vehicle flipped over the Armco barrier and landed in the middle island, taking road signs and cones with it. Some road workers on the scene explained that they heard the crash and had to run to get out of the destruction path of the vehicle.

When paramedics arrived on the scene, they found the three women all sitting next to the vehicle. Fortunately they sustained only minor injuries. All of them, including a male passenger of the bakkie, were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical assessment. It is understood from the occupants of the bakkie that two of the women were sitting on the back of the bakkie when it crashed.

Three men from the Mercedes escaped with no injuries.

Road workers had to quickly jump into action to clean the highway of the fallen road signs and vehicle debris to avoid vehicles colliding with it.

The Johannesburg Metro Police attended the scene.

Werner Vermaak
ER24

FOURWAYS - Johannesburg - Witkoppen Drive and Kingfisher Road on 05 April 2009 at 01:00

A pedestrian, believed to be in his early 30's, was left in a critical condition this morning when he was knocked down by a vehicle in Fourways.

Paramedics that arrived on the scene found the man lying in Witkoppen drive with multiple fractures and head injuries. He was in a critical condition and paramedics had to act quickly to stabilize him.

It is understood that a Volvo collided with the man shortly after 01:00. The driver of the Volvo was not injured in this collision, but assessed by medical staff on the scene.

Paramedics had to call in the Emergency Helicopter to airlift the man to a facility where he could receive specialist medical management.

The cause for the collision is not known and the Metro Police will be investigating the incident.

Werner Vermaak
ER24

END!

[WiK1d]

There was another massive accident involving what I think was a Hyundai Gets and a bike on the N1 near Roodepoort at around 11.00-11.30 today. Bike was in flames next to the road and the front of the car was completely bashed in. Anyone know anything about this?

I also heard about a Jo'burg Metro Police biker who was hit on the N1 South near the Lenasia split at around 11 this morning. The bike was also burnt out according to the post on ThinkBike.

[driver]

It's going to be a busy weekend...

Potchefstroom - N12 on 09 April 2009 at 15h15

Two people died when the vehicles they were travelling in had a head-on collision on the N12 approximately thirteen kilometers outside of Potchefstroom earlier today.

The driver of a Toyota Camry and a passenger of a Nissan bakkie were declared dead on arrival by ER24 paramedics on the scene. A third patient was transported in a stable condition to Potchefstroom Medi-Clinic by ER24 ambulance.

ER24 crews used a fire extinguisher from there ambulance to extinguish a fire that had started in the Toyota Camry on their arrival.

The N12 was closed in both directions to traffic while emergency crews were busy on the scene, one lane was later opened to relieve traffic, SAPS were in attendance

(on behalf of Tristan Wadeley - ER24)

--
Werner Vermaak
Emergency Media & Client Liaison
ER24

SEBOKENG - Van der Bijl Park - Watersdal Road on 09 April 2009 at 15:00

A ten year old boy was killed this afternoon in Sebokeng when he was allegedly knocked down by a passing taxi.

It is understood from bystanders on the scene that the little boy suddenly ran across the road and the taxi collided with him.

Paramedics from ER24 were called to the scene and found the boy lying in the road. He suffered major injuries and there was nothing that paramedics could do for him. He was declared dead on the scene.

It is believed the taxi was on its way out of Sebokeng when the collision occurred. Emergency Personnel had to close off Watersdal Road for the duration of the investigation. The local authorities will investigate this incident.

Paramedics could not locate any friends or family on the scene. The next of kin is not yet notified of the incident.

It is also unclear why the boy ran across the road.

--
Werner Vermaak
Emergency Media & Client Liaison
ER24

END!

[capn]

Easter weekend carnage, begin!

[driver]

Netcare 911 and provincial emergency services responded to a motor vehicle collision yesterday evening on the N4 about 40 km outside of Sun City direction Pretoria, in which 2 people died.
The family involved are believed to be out from Australia, one child and one adult were killed. Another child was air lifted from the scene by Netcare 911 to Netcare Unitas hospital, this child was in a critical condition and is now in Paediatric ICU at Unitas. A third child and one adult were transported to a nearby hospital by road, in a stable condition, they have since been transferred to Unitas so as to keep the family together.
The people in the other car were not seriously injured but did require treatment and were transported to hospital.

There was a second collision at the same spot shortly afterwards in which another two people were killed. It is not certain whether they crashed into the first accident scene or if that had already been cleared up. It is believed that up to 5 cars were involved in this second collision.

Mark Stokoe
Netcare 911

END!

[driver]

Seatbelts, who needs them?

BLUEHILLS - Midrand - R562 and Summit Roads on 11 April 2009 at 22:00

Two teenagers were killed and one is in a critical condition after their BMW collided with a tree in a veld next to the R562 late last night.

Paramedics that arrived on the scene found a BMW some 100 meters in a veld with two teenage men lying outside of their vehicle. Both of the men sustained multiple trauma to their bodies and was dead on arrival.

On further investigation, paramedics heard an 18 year old girl screaming some 50 meters in the bush. They rushed towards her and found her lying between long grass. She was in a critical condition and sustained multiple head and chest injuries.

Paramedics had to call in the emergency helicopter to airlift the young lady to a provincial hospital in the area.

It is understood that the friends left a house in Blue Hills earlier the night to go to a nearby shop. Friends at the house started looking for them and came across the towing services standing next to the road. They quickly received the shock of their lives when they identified the vehicle and their friends.

It appears that the BMW left the road and started to overturn several times before it collided with a tree in the veld. All of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The South African Police Service will investigate the incident.

Werner Vermaak
ER24

MARLBORO - Johannesburg - N3 Highway North at Marlboro Off Ramp on 12 April 2009 at 03:15

Paramedics found a man this morning crushed underneath his own car on the N3 highway in Marlboro.

Emergency workers that arrived on the scene, were greeted with an unexplained situation when a green Tazz overturned several times on the highway. Three occupants, two males and a lady, were ejected from the vehicle when it started to overturn. Two people were found next to the Tazz with multiple injuries.

Witnesses explained on the scene that it appeared if the car lost control and swerved from the fast lane up against the barriers on the slow lane. One witness explained that she only saw dust and people flying through the air.

The two seriously injured people were treated on the scene and rushed of to a nearby hospital.

Paramedics declared the man under the car dead. Paramedics could only see part of his chest and legs. The Fire Department had to lift the car up to free the man from the wreckage.

The Johannesburg Metro Police will be investigating the incident.

Werner Vermaak
ER24

END!

[driver]

PRETORIA - Garsfontein - N1 Highway South between Atterbury and Rigel on 13 April 2009 at 17:00
Photos: Hugo Minnaar - Lifemed

At least five people have been injured in a collision on the N1 between Rigel and Atterbury this afternoon.

Paramedics from ER24, LifeMed and Tshwane Emergency Services found the vehicles scattered across the N1 near the Garsfontein bridge. One of the vehicles overturned during the collision.

Four people sustained moderate injuries and one sustained only minor injuries. Most of the patients were treated for possible spinal injuries. A pregnant lady was also involved in this collision. She is in a stable condition and was treated on the scene. She was also transported to a nearby hospital for further medical management.

This comes after thousands of motorists are still making their way from Polokwane towards Johannesburg and other areas. Traffic was severely affected and backed up passed the N1/N4 split. Onlookers on the opposite side of the highway also slowed down to have look at the incident.

Werner Vermaak
ER24

END!

[Ian C]

The strech of freeway on the N4 by Lynwood offramp is a nasty area traffic wise. There was a massive accident lastnight (2nd June 2009) just before 7pm just before the interchange. From what I could see on the opposite side of the freeway, it seems that a car tried to do a u-turn and was hit by oncoming traffic.

Any information on this accident?

[aCe]

Yeah come on Barry. You've been slacking!

[Deezil]

He's been busy sticking it to the Tshwane Council on my behalf regarding invalid traffic tickets ... give the guy a break!

[airborne]

Yeah come on Barry. You've been slacking!

I think it's a good thing if he doesn't post regular updates ....

[Presler]

Yeah come on Barry. You've been slacking!

I think it's a good thing if he doesn't post regular updates ....

Uhhm, why?

[airborne]

Less posts hopefully = less serious or deadly accidents ....

[driver]

Mu apologies. I have received some accidents I just can't find the time to edit and upload the pics.
On the accident you are refering to, I don't have any info.

END!

[driver]

BLUEHILLS - Midrand - R562 and Mnandi Drive on 12 June 2009 at 18:46

A 32 year old man was killed this evening and three others injured in a head on collision on the R562 between a bakkie and a Toyota Tazz.

Paramedics that arrived on the scene found the 32 year old man trapped behind the steering column of his badly mangled vehicle. He was already dead when paramedics arrived and there was nothing that paramedics could do for him.

The Johannesburg Fire Department had to use hydraulic equipment to free the man's body from the wreck.

Three occupants of the bakkie escaped from their vehicle with only minor injuries. The three middle aged men were standing near the bakkie with only scratches on their faces and upper bodies. Paramedics assessed them and were amazed that they sustained only minor injuries. All three of the men were transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment and assessment.

It is understood that one of the vehicles might have swerved into oncoming traffic. The exact cause for the accident will be investigated by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

The road was partially closed for almost two hours whilst emergency workers were on the scene.

Regards,

--
Werner Vermaak
Emergency Media & Client Liaison
ER24

END!

[S.P.O.R.K]

I can't look at this stuff, so depressing. driver: how do you stay sane? Also, slightly ominous that Azrael is browsing this thread.

[driver]

I can't look at this stuff, so depressing. driver: how do you stay sane?

It doesn't bother me.

At approximately 09h00 on Thursday 18 June 2009, Netcare 911 paramedics responded to reports of a very serious collision on Beyers Naude drive right outside the Cresta shopping mall, north of Johannesburg.

Eye witness alleged that the PikiTup truck lost control before crashing through the palm trees on the middle island and then smashed head-on into a car that was travelling in the opposite direction. The truck then proceeded across Beyers Naude and down the embankment into the car park area of the Cresta Mall before crashing into a retaining wall between the mall and a car dealership. The truck came to rest approximately 50m away from the car.
Paramedics attended to five people at the scene, four from the truck and the driver of the car. Two of the trucks occupants including the driver were not injured and two others sustained minor injuries. The female driver of the car is a student who was on her way to class at the time of the incident, she is 21 years old. She was in a serious condition and was treated for several fractures to both of her legs, she was attended to by an advanced life support paramedic and analgesic medication was administered to reduce the significant amount of pain that she was experiencing.
A large crowd gathered to watch as fire fighters utilised several rescue tools including the "jaws of life" to remove the roof of the car and then push the dashboard off of her legs. All three of the injured were transported by ambulances to the Netcare Milpark hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Traffic in the area was severely effected and both lanes of Beyers Naude travelling towards Johannesburg were closed and one lane travelling towards the N1 highway was closed resulting in serious backlogs. The incident has now been cleared.

This incident was attended to by paramedics from the private ambulance services, fire department and the Metro Police and their specialist Accident Investigation Unit.


Nick Dollman.
Netcare 911

Check this Yaris peeled open like a tin of fish!











END!