JUST IN: “Bloody weekend” as NINE die and 17 are injured in just 24 hours across Ekurhuleni

Nine people died and 17 others were injured in what has been described as a bloody weekend on Ekurhuleni roads.

William Ntladi, the spokesperson of Disaster and Emergency Management Services, said the first incident occurred on the morning of May 31 and the last occurred on the evening of June 1.

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On May 31, on the N17 Eastbound freeway’s Osborn Road on-ramp, two light motor vehicles collided resulting in two passengers being killed on the scene.

“It is alleged that a stationary pick-up truck with nine occupants was parked in the emergency lane when another  vehicle hit it from behind instantly killing two of the passengers.”

One of the four critically injured patients was flown to Sunshine Hospital in Benoni by a medical helicopter.

The others were road transported by various ambulances to the same hospital.

On the afternoon of June 1, first responders attended to a shooting scene at a Germiston shopping centre where an adult male and female were declared dead.

“Information on site states that a robbery that took place and the suspects shot randomly and killed the two adults,” said Ntladi.

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At around 6.10pm the same day, a fatal collision occurred on R103 Road northbound in Boksburg near Flanagan Road turn off.

“Four vehicles were involved in the crash, instantly killing three adult males.”

Ntladi said it believed a VW Golf had a mechanical breakdown and was manually pushed by two of its passengers when the Ford Fiesta came from behind and crashed into it, instantly killing the two passengers and their driver.

“The driver of the Ford and a two-year-old toddler were transported to Clinix Private Hospital in Vosloorus with serious injuries.”

The four occupants of the third vehicle, Toyota Conquest escaped with minor injuries.

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A few minutes after the R103 Road crash, about four hundred meters away from the initial scene, another two light motor vehicles a sedan VW Polo and VW GOLF collided.

“One adult female passenger was declared dead on scene while two others, an adult female driver and a male passenger, both sustained serious injuries,” said Ntladi.

The two occupants of the Golf sustained serious injuries.

Meanwhile, in Primrose, another collision took place when a biker lost control of his motorbike.

“Primrose rescue crews responded promptly to the scene and on arrival, they found a male biker aged around 20,” said Ntladi

“Unfortunately, on assessment and treatment, the patient was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.”

Ntladi said the fatal collisions are under investigation by the COE’s traffic officers.

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Later that evening at about 8.26 pm an articulated truck was set alight on R554 eastbound near Rondebult bird sanctuary

Firefighters from Alberton, Tokoza and Wadeville fire stations, responded with four fire engines to extinguish the vehicle.

“Police were called in as members of Buhle Park community came in numbers to take groceries from the trailer.”

“It is alleged the truck was hijacked in Germiston and set alight after the driver was assaulted and left at the point of hijacking.”