According to William Ntladi, the district manager and media liaison officer of Disaster & Emergency Management Services (DEMS), the crash was reported around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon by a traffic officer who came to Vosloorus fire station to report.
“Four trucks and a light motor vehicle were involved. The critically injured driver was trapped behind the steering wheel and DEMS rescue team had to use jaws of life to recover him from the wreckage.
“Polytrauma driver patient and his assistant were rushed to Union Hospital for emergency medical treatment while the third patient from a light motor vehicle was admitted at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital with minor injuries,” said Ntladi.
According to the eyewitness on the scene, the crash was caused by the heavy dense smoke from the grass fire burning alongside the freeway and subsequently, the pile-up occurred.
Both two lanes had to be closed for the duration of the crash and the traffic was diverted to R103 road as an alternative route.
The scene was handed over to Ekurhuleni Traffic Officials for investigation.
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