The peace along the R34 was abruptly shattered by the wailing of sirens on Thursday, 10 October 2024, as emergency personnel raced to the scene of a serious collision involving two state vehicles, one of which was a correctional services vehicle transporting a prisoner.
The incident unfolded south of Gelukstadt, just outside of Vryheid, and was severe enough to prompt the closure of the road.
This saw law enforcement officials and emergency responders diligently working to establish the cause of the collision while ensuring that both the law enforcement personnel and the prisoner were in stable condition.
Khaleel Ramlall of Pro Assist Towing and Recovery provided details regarding the incident. He explained that the collision occurred when both the police vehicle and the correctional services vehicle were travelling in the same direction. “Both vehicles were travelling from Vryheid to Ulundi when the one vehicle allegedly stopped to turn, and the correctional services vehicle struck it from the back,” he recounted.
Another official source on the scene elaborated further, noting that allegations have surfaced suggesting that the police vehicle did not activate its indicators or brake lights, resulting in the driver of the correctional services vehicle being unable to stop in time.
In response to the collision, emergency personnel, including police officials, traffic officers, paramedics, and teams from Pro Assist Towing and Recovery, as well as AA Towlines, were dispatched to the scene.
Their combined efforts ensured that the situation was managed effectively, necessitating a closure of nearly two hours for forensic investigations and the removal of the vehicles involved.
Addressing the injuries sustained during this unfortunate incident, Ramlall highlighted that both the inmate being transported by the correctional services vehicle and the official in the passenger seat sustained injuries. Fortunately, he noted that the injuries were not life-threatening, with paramedics providing immediate care to both individuals at the scene.
With the above in mind and investigations underway, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below