[Brits 01 December 2011 09:00]
The ER24 Discovery Medicopter was called in to assist with transportation of a patient that was critically injured injured in a head on collision on the N4 near Brits, approximately 2 kilometers from the intersection with the R511.
The Hartbeespoort Medical Rescue Unit were first to arrive at the scene and initialised stabilisation of the young man in his 20’s, who was still trapped in the vehicle. The man’s father had been driving the hatchback, and it appeared that most of the impact had been in the drivers side of the small car. The father died at the scene due to the injuries that he had sustained.
The truck and car were crushed into one another, and the young man was trapped in his seat. Extensive cutting of the mangled metal was required by the Fire and Rescue workers at the scene to free the patient.
He needed treatment for multiple injuries such as broken bones, internal injuries and a possible head injury. He was airlifted by the Medicopter to the Life Eugene Marais Hospital for further care.
The occupant of the large 18 wheeler truck was not injured.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24