One person is dead, another person is in a critical condition and another person has sustained serious injuries after collision involving two trucks on the N3 Pietermaritzburg bound near Balgowen this afternoon.
ER24, EMRS and other emergency services arrived on the scene and found that one truck had gone into the back of another one in the left hand lane of the freeway. Paramedics assessed the patients and found that the driver was still entrapped and in a critical condition. One passenger was declared deceased due to the fatal injuries he had sustained, while the third patient had sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital by the Provincial Ambulance service for further medical care.
The local Fire Department used the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic equipment to extricate the driver from the vehicle. While they were helping him, the paramedics stabilised him and had to perform advanced life support skills to save his life. He was airlifted to hospital by the Red Cross Air Mercy Helicopter to Edendale Hospital, where experienced trauma staff were waiting to take over the medical care of the patient.
It is unknown how the driver crashed in to the or what the reasons where but it is believed that the truck may have had some sort of mechanical problems causing the driver to lose control.
All necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.
Derrick Banks, ER24
