Motorists who were on their way home this afternoon where confronted with severe traffic back log due to a collision on the N3 Durban bound just past the pavilion.
One person is in a critical condition, another two have sustained serious injuries, while five others have sustained minor to moderate injuries after three trucks and eight cars were involved in a collision, completely blocking the freeway off to motorist and making it hard for emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.
ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene to find a truck lying on its side with the driver entrapped. Advanced Life Support intervention had to be performed on the patient. The Jaws of Life and other hydraulic equipment were used to extricate the man from the wreckage. Once out he was transported to Addington Hospital in a critical condition due to his injuries he had sustained.
Two other trucks had crashed in to the side of each other, with a motor vehicle crashing in to the back of one of the trucks. Another vehicle was found lying on its side near the trucks. Six other cars were found close by with various damages.
Two little boys aged six and eight had suffered possible neck and back injuries and were in a serious condition. Five other people sustained minor lacerations and abrasions. All patients were stabilised on the scene and transported to Life Entabeni Hospital and other surrounding hospitals for further medical care.
It is unclear who was at fault or how the collision really occurred but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would be investigating the incident further.
Derrick Banks
ER24
