The Easter Weekend was marred by two serious accidents, which resulted in one person dying and eight others sustaining serious injuries.
The first collision occurred on Saturday night, 30 March 2024, along the N11, between Newcastle and Ballengeich.
While circumstances around the crash are unclear, Frikkie Bekker of KwaZulu Private Ambulance explained that when emergency personnel arrived on the scene, it was utter chaos as they found a truck and a bakkie had collided. The nature of the collision resulted in patients being entrapped in the bakkie.
Additionally, Bekker pointed out that the truck had also caught alight and was on fire while paramedics were attending to the patients.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance’s Chantelle Botha noted that five people sustained critical injuries, while two people sustained serious injuries. “Using specialised rescue equipment with Amajuba Fire Department, trapped patients were extricated from the bakkie. The patients were treated on scene before being transported to the hospital for further treatment,” stated Botha.
Regrettably, one person had already succumbed to their injuries before emergency services arrived.
The second incident occurred on Sunday morning, 31 March 2024, when a vehicle crashed into a tree along Drakensberg Road. According to Botha, the driver had lost control of his vehicle while travelling on the road. However, the exact cause of the loss of control remains unclear.
According to Botha, the motorist sustained serious injuries. “The patient was treated on scene before being transported to the hospital for further treatment.”
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance, particularly during holiday periods. Newcastillian News extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families during this challenging time.
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