Driver killed as car burns after crashing over middle island on N1 + long weekend stats
25 04 2008
At approximately 23h48 on Thursday night, 24 April 2008, Netcare 911 responded to a report of a serious collision and fire on the N1 northbound just before the Malibongwe (R512) off ramp, Randburg.
Tyre marks indicated that a vehicle travelling on the N1 southbound skidded off the highway and crossed over the unprotected middle island (no centre armco/crash barrier) resulting in a collision with another car travelling in a northerly direction. The one car sustained significant impact damage and caught fire and was totally burnt out. Fire fighters extinguisher the fire but tragically the remains of one occupant, believed to be the driver, were recovered from the wreck. The driver of the other vehicle (pic 9635) was in a serious but stable condition and was transported by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.
This incident was attended to by the private ambulance services, fire department and the Metro Police as well as the Metro Polices specialist “Accident Investigation Unit”. The highway was closed to traffic for more than two hours and motorists were diverted onto the Malibongwe (R512) off ramp to bypass the scene.
Many fatalities:
This section of the N1 highway is notorious for fatal collisions. There are no protective armco barriers between the two highways which travel in opposite directions and this frequently results in partial or head-on collisions when vehicles cross over the middle island and collide with oncoming traffic. The previous fatal collision on the N1 (as a result of a vehicle crossing over the middle island) between William Nicol drive (R511) and Malibongwe drive (R512) occurred on 26 March 2008 and on that occasion 1 person died at the scene, 1 critical patient was airlifted and 2 other patients sustained serious injuries.
Emergency services believe that a protective barrier between the two highways would most certainly reduce the number of head-on collisions and possibly prevent the deaths of innocent road users as it is almost impossible to swerve out and avoid a head-on collision with a vehicle that crosses over the middle island only meters in front of you while both vehicles are travelling at relatively high speeds.
Although there are sections which have armco barriers, the majority of the N1 between the Buccleuch Interchange and the Grasmere toll plaza does not offer centre island crash/armco barriers.
Long weekend collision stats:
At the same time, since midnight 25 April 2008, the Netcare 911 call centre has dispatched emergency vehicles to almost 60 collisions throughout South Africa. Although his number is not particularly high, the national roads will probably be busier than normal as many people are expected to take full advantage of the upcoming two day working week.
Drivers are encouraged to rest thoroughly before undertaking long journeys, stop and stretch/rest regularly (every 2 hours or 200km), ensure all occupants of the vehicle are wearing their safety belts, switch on your vehicles headlights to make yourself more visible to other road users, do not speed, do not drink and drive, always keep a safe following distance and be on the lookout for pedestrians.
Regards,
[ Information provided by Netcare 911 to the Road Safety & Arrive Alive Blog]
NETCARE 911
Emergency No. 082 911
My husband and I were of the first to arrive on the scene of this horrific accident. The tow truck drivers arrived shortly after that. I suggest the tow truck drivers receive free medical training and carry fire extinguishers. They are ALWAYS first on the scene within minutes.
My first call to 10111 was made at 23H34 and the fire brigade arrived at 00h08. Why did it take so long for the fire dept to respond? I understand the fire dept is located nearby.
My husband and 2 other bystanders tried to free the injured driver from this burning car. Smoke, fire, and a impact damaged door, would not allow rescue.
By the time the fire dept arrived, there was a charred heap of twisted metal, with only the tyres left burning.
I could not believe, the Metro Police allowed 11 bystanders to stand 3 meters from this accident scene, only to watch a guy in his car burn to ashes, taking cell phone photos. These people should be kept behind a barrier. Why don’t the police have fire extinguishers? They also arrived too late.
Hi Lynn,please can you confirm when you arrived at the accident scene,was the driver of the VW Golf still alive, as I see from your response that you tried rescue him? many thanks for your assistance in this matter kindest regards Rod.
Hi Rod,
I made the call as I stopped my vehicle (before I ran to the burning car) which registered 23h34 on my phone. The driver was not concious at the time, but also not burning, as my husband described the clothes and jewellry he was wearing. After trying for a good minute and a half to get the door open, the victim’s hair caught alight. The seat belt could also not be unlatched.
Regards
Lynn
Hi Lynn,thanks for the promt response many many thanks for assisting my brother,you have eased a lot concern that we had concerning him burning alive. kindest regards Rod.
Lynn … big respect for stopping. Although it must have been really traumatic, you should ensure ta you don’t carry residual emotion issues, that would be normal.
I ALWAYS carry a sharp knife, useful for many things, including seatbelts.
But i agree that the formalisation of the tow truck industry would be a great bonus, forcing them to have both medical training and fire extinguishers.
Lyn please can i talk to you?
Melisa
The reason for a website blog, is so that no personal details need to be given I.E. Physical address’s and Telephone numbers.
Leave this Angel that tried to help my brother in peace, we dont need anymore info than he did not suffer during his death, we dont need all the gruesome details.
Mel,
I have been wanting to talk to the family too, but did not know how to contact anyone. The Friday after the accident I was on the internet the whole day trying to find any news on this accident. then I found the article on this site, that is when I had to respond. I have Rod’s e-mail and will contact him and give him all my details, as I also need to know more about this man. He has been on my mind everyday since that fateful night.
Regards
Lynn