Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg 31 October 2011 from 16:00
Two mulit-vehicle pile ups in Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg have left 5 injured, including 3 adults and 2 children.
The first accident, which happened on Durban Road outside of the University just before Ridge Road, seemed to have been caused when a Toyota Corolla collided with the back of a Ford Bantam bakkie. The impact forced the Corolla into a spin, which then collided into a VW Polo which was travelling in the opposite direction, heading out of Pietermaritzburg. As this happened, another Ford Bantam slammed into the Corolla which had been travelling in the same direction as the other Bantam and the Corolla.
An 8 year old boy who was with his father and sister in the VW Polo was treated on the scene for a large bruise to his head. Fortunately the other two in the car had not been injured. The woman who had been driving the Corolla was treated at the scene for minor injuries, and both her and the young boy were taken to hospital by ambulance for further treatment.
The second incident happened in Pinetown, just minutes after the one in Pietermaritzburg. This time, 5 cars collided into the back of one another. They were all travelling in the same direction, heading out of Pinetown, with the accident happening on Old Main Road near the St. Johns intersection.
An off duty law enforcement officer and her daughter had borne the brunt of the force of impact, and both mom and 15 year old daughter had sustained broken bones in the accident. They were treated for their serious injuries and taken to hospital by ambulance. The driver of one of the other vehicles was treated for minor injuries, and they too were taken to hospital.
The other 3 drivers, and only occupants of their respective vehicles, were left with no physical injuries and they chose to leave the scene using private transport.
The causes of both collisions will be investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24