An Uno, BMW 5 series, and a Minibus Taxi were involved in a horrific accident on the N1 between Winburg and Verkeerdevlei.
It is suspected that the Taxi experienced mechanical problems when the driver lost control and collided head on with the BMW which was towing a caravan. The impact caused the Taxi to roll, ejecting some of the patients. The BMW sustained massive frontal impact, almost tearing the front of it open, exposing the two patients in the front seats. The caravan is also believed to have rolled, with its contents being strewn across the road.
An Uno travelling in the same direction managed to brake at the accident, but collided with minimal front impact into the other vehicles’ wreckage.
In total, there were eleven fatalities arising from this accident. Nine of which were in the taxi, one passenger from the BMW that were declared dead on the scene, and one other patient, that was transported by ER24 paramedics, along with another critical patient. They were on their was to Pelonomi Hospital when her condition deteriorated, and she was declared deceased despite resuscitation attempts. Five other patients were in a critical condition, while ten others sustained moderate injuries.
Unfortunately, the nearest hospitals were about eighty kilometers away, making it a difficult task for the emergency services in transporting all patients. But eventually all patients were transported to either the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic, or Pelonomi Hospital.
The SAPS from Winburg were on the scene, as well as the relevant Highway Patrol, they will be taking necessary statements for accident investigation.
Vanessa Jackson
ER24