SIX people died and eight others were injured when a taxi overturned in KwaNgcolosi near Inanda Dam before 10am on Sunday.
“Rescue Care and Vema Paramedics arrived on the scene to find carnage,” said Rescue Care’s managing director, Garrith Jamieson.
A single taxi, carrying 14 people, rolled down a steep embankment for about 1km.
More paramedics as well as SAPS and Metro Search and Rescue and Fire Department members were dispatched to assist.
“Paramedics had to walk approximately 2km down the mountain to the crash site,” said Jamieson.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Murder trial of rearrested Westville escapee possibly headed to Durban High Court
Multiple passengers had been ejected from the taxi as it rolled down the embankment. Due to the severity of their injuries, six occupants had major injuries and passed away at the scene.
“Due to the inaccessibility by vehicle to the scene, the Lenmed 1 Aeromedical Helicopter with Rescue capability was called to assist. Rescue Medics from IPSS were then lowered on a line from the helicopter to lift the patients up to the road,” said Jamieson.
Eight people, who were all seriously injured, were stabilised at the scene before they were taken to hospital.
“This rescue took approximately eight hours and left both rescuers and patients severely dehydrated,” said Jamieson.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
