17 People were left injured this evening after a taxi overturned on the N12 near the Putfontein exit in Benoni, East of Johannesburg.
ER24 paramedics, along with other services, arrived on scene and found the wrecked taxi lying on its side on the side of the road. The front of the taxi had collapsed when it overturned.
On assessment, paramedics found that 17 people had been in the taxi when the incident occurred. One of the patients was found to be in a critical condition.
Paramedics set up a triage area and began treating the patients for their injuries, which ranged from minor to serious. Advanced life support interventions were also provided to the critically injured patient to stabilize his vital signs.
Once treated, the critically injured patient was airlifted by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. The remaining patients were treated for their injuries and thereafter transported to nearby facilities for further observations.
The cause of the collision is not yet known but local authorities were on scene to conduct an investigation.
Russel Meiring
Er24 Spokesperson