At least 16 people have been injured in a horrific road accident involving a fully loaded truck, a bus and two minibus taxis.
According to Arrive Alive, the accident took place on Old Dutch Road in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday Morning.
It is alleged that the driver of the truck lost control and fell on top of a bus, ploughing into two taxis.
The truck was reportedly heading eastward towards Durban Central Business District (CBD) and unexpectedly plummeted off the N3 overpass and landed directly on top of a bus in the market area of Durban.
“One male passenger from the rear of the bus was found severely entrapped in the wreckage. The Durban Fire Department used the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic equipment to try and free him,” said Arrive Alive in a statement.
“Approximately 15 other patients sustained moderate to serious injuries and were stabilised on the scene before being transported to various other Durban hospitals for the further treatment that they required,” it added.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said a case of culpable homicide has been opened for investigation.
“The case was opened by the Berea South African Police Service after a truck, bus and two taxis were involved in a collision. More than 10 people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical attention,” said Gwala.
At this stage, the cause of the accident has not been established as authorities are still assessing the crime scene.
In September, two people were killed after a truck had overturned near Liberty Midlands Mall on the N3 southbound.
Traffic police and other emergency personnel found the truck on its side upon arrival at the scene. As they were busy with a pre-warning procedure at the scene, another tanker truck ploughed into them after its brakes failed.
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