7 Killed, 10 injured in M1 taxi smash

At approximately 19h30 this evening, Sunday 04 May 2008, Netcare 911 responded to a report of a serious collision on the M1 highway above Empire road, Johannesburg.
 
It was alleged that the minibus taxi was returning from a church service in Tembisa when the incident occurred. The minibus taxi was travelling towards Johannesburg, skid marks show that the vehicle veered across the road and side swiped the centre concrete wall that had a steel armco barrier above it. Most of the drivers side of the taxi was sheered off exposing the occupants. Four occupants were ejected at the place where the taxi collided with the barrier, all four died at the scene. The taxi did not over turn but rather carried on driving for about another 400 meters before coming to rest in the emergency lane. A further 3 people died at that location. Paramedics from various services attended to 10 injured commuters, 1 was in a critical condition, 6 sustained serious injuries and 3 were lucky to escape with minor injuries. The driver was one of the people who died at the scene, most of the deceased victims sustained severe blunt trauma injuries.
 
All three lanes of the M1 south were closed to traffic while emergency workers attended to the incident. The fire department used pressurised water to wash the road at the two points. The highway was reopened to traffic just after 10pm.
 
This incident was attended to by paramedics from the private and provincial ambulance services, fire department and the Metro Police and their specialist Accident Investigation Unit.

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

NETCARE 911
Emergency No. 082 911