[Evaton 03 January 2012 14:00]
A young boy has been critically injured after an accident on the N1 south just before the R28, Randfontein exit. The double cab bakkie came to rest up against the center median tree partition, the canopy having been ripped off as it rolled. When paramedics arrived, there were blankets and a couple of mattresses strewn across the highway, and 8 people needed treatment for their injuries.
The 8 year old boy appears to have been ejected as the bakkie rolled, presumably from sitting in the back loading compartment of the vehicle when the canopy came off the body. He was in a critical condition and was unconscious, prompting paramedics to initiate intensive treatment in an attempt to stabilised his injuries. He had sustained massive traumatic injuries to his face and head and possible internal injuries too. The ER24 Discovery Medicopter was called in so as to assist with rapid transportation of the boy to an advanced medical facility. He was airlifted to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital where his condition deteriorated, and resuscitation efforts were started. After a while, a pulse was regained on the boy and he remains in hospital.
Another 2 boys around the same age had also been injured, although their injuries were thankfully less severe and they were in a stable condition. Their moderate injuries were treated by paramedics before they were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The other 5 occupants of the bakkie, all adult patients, were treated for minor to moderate injuries before being taken to appropriate medical facilities in the vicinity.
There had been no other vehicles involved in the accident, and at this time the cause of the accident is under investigation by the necessary authorities.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24
