[BETHLEHEM, FS 6 July 2012, 07:10]
42 seasonal farm workers sustained injuries this morning following an incident near Bethlehem resulting in them falling from a moving truck on their way to work on the S1128.
The events leading up to the incident is unclear, but approximately 125 farm workers were being transported in an open carriage truck when the left side guard of the carriage allegedly broke away, resulting in 42 of the passenger falling onto the road.
When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found the injured passengers strewn across a distance of 80 meters. 11 of the patients were fortunate to have sustained minor injuries only in the form of various scrapes and bruises. The remaining 31 patients however, sustained more serious injuries ranging from suspected back and neck injuries to broken legs and arms.
All of the patients recieved on scene treatment from various Emergency Medical Services before being transport to various hospitals in various ambulances. Local law enforcement officials attended the scene and will be investigating the incident further.
Andre Visser, ER24
084 211 2277