[Diepkloof 11 August 2011 19:00]
A man in his 30’s has sustained severe injuries after the bakkie he was traveling in crashed into the back of a truck on the N12 East between the Diepkloof Interchange and Xavier Road exit.
It is believed that the driver of the Hyundai bakkie, which was pulling a trailer, lost control of the vehicle after attempting to slow down for the upcoming roadworks. Bystanders said that the vehicle swerved violently before the bakkie crashed with severe force into the back of a refrigerator truck. The bakkie’s passenger side was extensively crushed and the passenger was trapped in the vehicle. Bystanders allegedly tried to pull him out, but the dashboard was up against his legs.
When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they immediately activate the Fire and Rescue services to the scene as it would require cutting away at the metal with the Jaws of Life to remove the badly injured man. The bakkie was crushed into the back of the truck and the trailer, which had become detached during the collision, was found approximately 20 meters away.
The man was stabilised as he was cut out and almost an hour later, was free and was being loaded into the waiting ambulance. He was taken to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto where his serious injuries were confirmed. He had sustained a broken leg, serious injuries to his hips, internal injuries and multiple deep cuts and bruises. Although battered and bruised, he was alive and in a stable condition.
The driver of the bakkie was not injured and refused further medical treatment by the paramedics at the scene. As the ambulance departed, it was noted that the bakkies driver was being questioned by the police who attended the scene.
The occupants of the refrigerator truck were not injured.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24