KwaZulu-Natal has been struck by tragedy. On Wanda Cele Road, eleven people lost their lives when a taxi and a truck collided. Among the dead was a school-going child. Several others survived but sustained severe injuries. The crash occurred on the very wet and slippery R102 near Lotus Park, south of Durban Metro, on Thursday morning. Witnesses at the scene reported that the truck jackknifed. One witness added that the truck driver, who survived the accident, was taken to a place of safety. Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, said they were on the scene of the “horrific crash.”
“Just after 7:30 am this morning, ALS Paramedics received numerous calls of urgent medical assistance needed on the R102, now called Wanda Cele Road, in the Isipingo area, just past the M35 offramp. “Multiple ambulance services responded to the call and arrived on scene to find chaos and carnage. They found that a taxi, fully loaded, and a truck had collided before the truck and taxi left the roadway, pinning the taxi against the tree,” Jamieson said. Jamieson said there are multiple casualties. “Multiple casualties were entrapped, and immediately, the eThekwini fire department started working to cut them free. At this stage, I can confirm that 11 people have been confirmed deceased on this scene, and approximately eight others have been rushed through to various hospitals with serious to critical injuries, as a result of this accident.
“I can confirm that, unfortunately, one child has passed away. At this stage, the taxi driver is still severely entrapped, and the eThekwini Fire Department is working hard to extricate the patient, and once freed, obviously he’ll be placed in an awaiting ambulance, and transported for the urgent care that he also requires,” Jamieson said.
This mass tragedy can be attributed to the dismal weather, the speed at which both the taxi and the truck were traveling, and the lack of traffic control police on the road. However, it remains unclear whether this tragic accident could have been avoided. Driving fast in rainy conditions carries a high risk, and the consequences are on full display here. The collision between the taxi and the truck likely occurred when the driver of the heavier vehicle lost control. Death can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Yet the death of the child is especially heart breaking. Meanwhile, the ordeal of the survivors is far from over. Even now, as they are being treated in hospitals across the province, they are fighting for their lives
The struggle for survival is on full display in this double accident. It is difficult to say whether those who survived the impact will ultimately recover, as such fate is not in mortal hands. However, the service and efforts of the eThekwini Fire Department and ALS Paramedics are once again evident. Their heroic deeds stand as a testament to courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
