JUST IN: 14 injured as taxi smashes into tree next to N2
It appears the driver lost control and smashed head-on into a tree, injuring all passengers
THIRTEEN passengers and the driver of an Empangeni taxi will spend the night in hospital after their afternoon commute was stopped by a large tree.
While details are sketchy, it appears the driver lost control and veered down the grass embankment adjacent to the N2 near Honeyfarm just outside Empangeni.
The taxi, which was travelling towards KwaMbonambi, was brought to a crushing halt when it collided with a large tree, injuring all passengers on board as well as trapping the driver in his seat.
Medics from KwaZulu Private, KZN EMS, Khasa EMS, IPSS Medical Rescue and Extreme Med were on scene as well as City of uMhlathuze firefighters who worked to extricate the trapped driver.
The impact crushed the front of the taxi inward, pushing the dashboard and floorboard up into the cabin.
Paramedics agreed the driver and front seat passenger are very lucky to be alive.
The injuries sustained by passengers ranged from minor to serious, the driver being the worst.
A majority of passengers sustained broken legs and arms and one woman appeared to have serious spinal injuries.
Watch the video below for footage from the scene:
