[PHOTOS] Truck crash under N2 claims two lives

TWO people died when a truck careened through heavy traffic and smashed into the N2 bridge on the M7 this morning.

At about 11.15am the truck, carrying maize meal and travelling east, smashed through two cars and another truck before it drove into a supporting beam of the N2 bridge.

Multiple emergency services, including KZN Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Rescue Care, along with the eThekwini fire department and SAPS search and rescue unit attended the scene.

Paramedics immediately attended to the driver of one of the cars, who was in a critical condition. For 30 minutes the advanced life support team used CPR on the elderly man, but he could not be resuscitated and was declared dead.

Meanwhile, a second team of paramedics pulled the truck away from the wall and used the Jaws of Life to get into the cab. The driver of the truck, however also sustained fatal injuries.

According to Rescue Care operations director, Garrith Jamieson the second truck driver had minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
Traffic was heavily congested following the incident but the road is now open.

“From KZN EMS, we send our most sincere condolences to the victims’ families and friends,” said media liaison officer, Robert McKenzie.

Police rescue fire and Netcare 911 using Jaws of Life to free driver @ECR_Newswatch @southcoastsun @_ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/J6IcLBklWR

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) September 8, 2015

A big thank you to all the services for all their efforts at the M7 accident @ECR_Newswatch @southcoastsun pic.twitter.com/0qonyM7Nld

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) September 8, 2015

Gallery photos by Chris Botha of Netcare_911