4 Killed, 16 injured in Cape smash. 285 collisions in 48 hours

In the early hours of the morning, Saturday 22 March 2008, Netcare 911 paramedics responded to a report of a very serious collision at the corners of Langeberg and Pear Tree roads in Durbanville, Cape Town.

Paramedics arrived to find that a car had collided with a minibus taxi. The minibus taxi was carrying people who worked in a nearby restaurant. Paramedics attended to 20 victims; 4 died as a result of their injuries and 16 were transported by various ambulances to the Groote Schuur and Tygerberg hospitals for further treatment. One of the victims was in a critical condition and was placed onto emergency life support at the scene. Fire fighters had to use the “jaws of life” to free victims from both of the vehicles.

This incident was attended to by paramedics from the private and provincial ambulance services, Fire department, Traffic police and the SAPS.

In the last 48 hours, since 11am on Thursday morning 20 March 2008, Netcare 911 has dispatched emergency vehicles to 285 collisions throughout South Africa. These comprised of 248 motor vehicle collisions and 37 pedestrian collisions with the highest numbers occurring in Johannesburg and Natal.

The roads are extremely busy at this time of the year and motorists are advised to take extra care whilst on the roads: switch vehicles head lights on to become more visible to other road users, do not exceed the speed limit, avoid driver fatigue- stop and rest every 2 hours or 200km, do not drink and drive and rest well before undertaking long journeys.

[ Information provided by Netcare 911 to the Road Safety & Arrive Alive Blog]

NETCARE 911
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