One man sustained serious injuries this morning following a collision on the R27 near Atlantis.
The cause of the collision is unknown at this stage, but a minibus taxi had collided with the rear of a stationary truck at speed. When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they could see that the collision was severe as the front of the taxi was obliterated.
The driver and only occupant in the minibus taxi was entrapped in the vehicle as the bent metal and rubber was pinning the man in the wrecked vehicle. Rescue personnel from the local fire and rescue services used specialised hydraulic rescue equipment to cut the vehicle in order to free the man.
The male patient, believed to be aged in his 40’s, had sustained serious injuries to both his legs in the form of multiple broken bones. The patient also sustained suspected internal injuries.
Due to the injuries sustained and the distance to the nearest appropriate medical facility on-scene paramedics promptly dispatched the ER24 Discovery Medicopter to the scene.
Shortly there after the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly. The decision was made to transport the patient by road in an ambulance. The patient then received on-scene treatment before being rapidly transported to Groote Schuur Hospital for further care.
Unfortunately the man was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Local law enforcement officials attended the scene and will be investigating the incident further.