An accident scene along Albert Wessels Drive on Tuesday afternoon, 14 November 2023, noted an Isuzu bakkie and a Mazda sedan on landing on opposite embankments. This was after they collided, creating a situation of chaos and concern among witnesses.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 pm, with the vehicles travelling in opposite directions.
While the exact circumstances leading to the collision are unclear, a bystander on the scene explained that she was busy at her place of work when she heard screeching tyres.
“When I looked towards the road, I saw the bakkie rolling onto the pavement and the car had gone onto the opposite embankment,” said the shocked woman.
An official present at the scene acknowledged that investigations are pending, but initial speculation points towards speed as a potential contributing factor. “The vehicles might have misjudged the bend on the road and collided, and the impact might have resulted in the vehicles landing where they did. But this cannot be confirmed as of yet, and will have to be investigated,” stated the source.
A paramedic on the scene provided reassurance, noting that while three individuals sustained injuries, all were minor, and immediate onsite treatment was administered.
As emergency personnel worked to assist the vehicles’ occupants and ensure the area’s safety for other motorists, concerned bystanders voiced their apprehensions about road safety in the area.
A business owner present at the collision site asserted, “The Newcastle Municipality needs to install speed bumps on Albert Wessels Drive. People speed on this stretch of road, and I know of 20 accidents that took place on this road since January, one of which saw two people die.”
Despite the absence of serious injuries, emergency responders are urging motorists to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits. The incident has reignited calls for enhanced safety measures on Albert Wessels Drive to prevent future accidents.
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