A collision this morning on the N3 Pietermaritzburg bound involving three trucks, two bakkies and two cars have left four people with critical injuries and eight with moderate to serious injuries this morning.
ER24 and EMRS arrived on the scene and found one truck had gone up an embankment with one car. The two articulated trucks were on the freeway of which one had over turned. A bakkie was found underneath the trailer of the articulated truck with four people entrapped inside. The second car was found behind the truck that had over turned. All vehicles had extensive damage.
Paramedics were able to treat nine patients that were from various vehicles. They had sustained moderate to serious injuries. They had suspected neck and back injuries and multiple cuts and abrasions. They were transported to Hillcrest Private Hospital and Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg for further medical care.
SAPS Search and Rescue and Fire Department had to use Jaws of Life and other rescue equipment to help extricate the three people still inside the bakkie. A decision was made to call in heavy duty tow trucks to help lift the trailer off the bakkie to make access to the patients easier. Once the patients were freed they were treated for suspected neck and back injuries and suspected broken bones. Advanced Life Support intervention was performed on the patients. One patient was airlifted by the Department Of Health Air Medical Service to a nearby hospital for rapid medical care.
The traffic in the area has been affected due to the accident as the N3 was closed to traffic until emergency personnel and salvaging of the vehicles was completed.
The necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.
Information from ER24 – www.er24.co.za