Nine people died on scene and scores were injured during a multi-vehicle collision on the N3 highway southbound just before the Barry Marais Road off-ramp outside Vosloorus on Monday.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) fire and rescue teams from Vosloorus, Boksburg Central and Wadeville fire stations responded simultaneously to the accident.
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ER24 and Netcare 911 personnel also responded to the emergency call and provided advanced life-support interventions.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that 12 vehicles, including six trucks, two minibuses, three light motor vehicles and a pick-up truck, were all involved in the crash,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.
“Subsequently, nine people were declared dead on scene and 21 others with various injuries were hospitalised.”
The injured were transported to Thelle Mogoerane Regional, Sunshine and Union hospitals.
“Three patients were in a critical condition, nine were in a serious but stable condition and the nine remaining patients sustained minor injuries,” said Ntladi.
“One of the critically injured patients later died in hospital.”
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The southbound highway was closed from 1pm until 8pm while emergency personnel worked on the scene.
“Different stakeholders including the Provincial Traffic Department, SAPS and EMPD collectively conducted an on-scene investigation as to what had caused the crash,” Ntladi explained.
“The preliminary investigation speculated that the crash was caused when smoke from a nearby veld fire blew across the road, obscuring the vision of the motorists.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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