#ICYMI: UPDATE: 6 killed when taxi overturns near Buccleuch interchange
ER24 paramedics said the taxi crashed into the centre barrier of the highway and overturned.
A taxi crashed into the centre barrier and overturned near the Buccleuch interchange on Thursday.
Russel Meiring, ER24 spokesperson, further stated that ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find a taxi lying on its left side in the middle of the highway.
“Traffic had begun to build due to the collision,” said Meiring.
“Upon closer inspection, paramedics found several bodies lying around the scene while several other patients were walking around. One patient was found lying trapped beneath the overturned taxi.”
Meiring added that paramedics assessed the patients and found that five patients, including a two-year-old boy, had sustained numerous fatal injuries and showed no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing more could be done for them and they were declared dead.
“Several other patients that were walking around on the scene were assessed by paramedics. They were treated and thereafter transported by various services to nearby hospitals for further treatment. A critically injured patient was treated on scene, but unfortunately, succumbed to their injuries after some time,” said Meiring.
The exact number of patients is not yet known, due to the number of services on scene.
Local fire services had to utilize their rescue tools to later free some of the deceased from beneath the vehicle.
The cause of the collision is not yet known but local authorities were on the scene for further investigations, said Meiring.
UPDATE: 02.20 pm
Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department confirmed that a fatal accident took place on the N1 South before the Buccleuch interchange.
“At approximately 11.20 am 5 adults and a two-year-old child died when the taxi they were travelling in overturned.”
Minnaar said 8 of the passengers were also injured in the crash.
“It is reported that the taxi was transporting passengers from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg,” said Minnaar.
“The cause of the accident will be investigated,” said Minnaar.
6 killed as minibus taxi overturns on the N1 south after Allandale. Avoid, major delays!
@ ArriveAlive @EWNTraffic @jaca_traffic @TrafficSA pic.twitter.com/lHDiqjHDo5— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) September 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/913348729985536001
