[Vereeniging 27 January 2012 15:15]

Three men have been killed and another 12 people injured after a double cab bakkie and a taxi collided on the R82 near the Deneysville Road turn off.
The mechanism at which the two vehicles collided is not clear, but the bakkie was extensively damaged on the front more on the drivers side. The mangled metal had encroached into the drivers compartment as the impact is believed to have been severe. The taxi lay on its side approximately 50 meters away, in the long grass on the side of the road.

Three occupants had been killed in the taxi; the driver included. One of the deceased was still inside the taxi and the other lying underneath. The men had not survived their injuries and there was nothing further that could be done for them. The driver remained entrapped in the wreckage and the Jaws of Life would be used to cut his body free.

The remaining 11 occupants of the taxi suffered fortunately only minor to moderate injuries and were treated on scene before being taken to hospital by ambulance. The driver of the Ford Ranger bakkie had sustained quite severe injuries but he was in a stable condition and was taken to Mediclinic Vereeniging under Advanced Life Support care. He had been the only occupants of the bakkie.

The road was closed with the assistance of traffic officials as medical personnel worked at the scene. Debris from both vehicles was strewn across both lanes.

The actual cause of the accident will be determined by the police who were at the scene.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

[Vereeniging 26 January 2012 - 14:30]

A man in his thirties has been critically injured after he allegedly jumped from a moving truck on the R59 near the Johan Le Roux off ramp.

The truck was traveling towards Vereeniging when the driver allegedly lost control. There were six people on the back of the truck and the man in his thirties allegedly indicated that he wanted to jump off as he thought the truck would roll. The man’s colleagues tried to stop him but he had already jumped. The truck came to a halt on the side of the road still on its wheels.

Paramedics were called to the scene as it appeared that the man had fallen on his head and had sustained critical injuries. He was treated by the Advanced Life Support paramedic and placed on external breathing apparatus. While he was being stabilised on scene the ER24 Discovery Medicopter was activated.

The man would need rapid treatment for a possible head injury and suspected spinal injuries. He was airlifted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. The other occupants of the truck were not injured in the incident.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

3 People have died and 17 others sustained injuries following two separate serious collisions in Meyerton and Vereeniging Tuesday evening.

The first collision occurred in Meyerton when a minibus taxi allegedly lost control on the R82. The cause of the collision is unknown, but the taxi had overturned during the collision. When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found a total of 15 people in need of medical attention.

All of the patients sustained injuries ranging from suspected back and neck injuries to various scrapes and bruises. The patients were treated at the scene by various Emergency Medical Services before being transported to nearby medical facilities.

The second collision occurred on the R59 highway in Vereeniging near the Boy Louw off ramp at 19:30.

When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they could see that the collision was severe. The cause of the collision is unknown, but 1 of the passenger vehicles was split in half. 1 of the vehicles had overturned and all of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the collision.

3 people, a female and 2 males, sustained various fatal injuries and were later declared dead at the scene. 1 male, believed to be aged 48, sustained a suspected head injury. The man was later airlifted from the scene by a Medicopter.

1 other male patient sustained suspected back and neck injuries. The man received treatment at the scene before being transported to a medical facility by ER24. Local law enforcement officials who attended the scene will be investigating the incident further.

Andre Visser, ER24

From left Chantelle Cook, Brent Cook, Gavin De Lange, Diane De Lange

Gabriel, the premier shock absorber division of Control Instruments-Automotive, has donated a set of Safari HDP heavy duty shock absorbers for an anti-poaching vehicle of the Chipembere Rhino Foundation. Gabriel also sponsored prizes at the foundation’s recent golf day.

“The Chipembere Rhino Foundation is a privately run, non-profit organisation committed to assisting in the protection and conservation of Africa’s rhino. This once highly endangered species, whose total population in the early 1950′s has amounted to fewer than 500 animals as a result of the pressure of poaching has clawed its way back thanks to a small yet dedicated team of conservationists,” said Gavin De Lange, event fundraiser, Chipembere Rhino Foundation.

“These conservationist’s efforts resulted in one of Africa’s most amazing conservation success stories, evident in Africa’s white rhino population of about 20 000,” said Leanne Saunders channel manager, retail fitment, Control Instruments – Automotive.

“But in recent years the poaching threat has escalated to more than one rhino being poached per day. In 2011, 448 rhino were poached in South Africa. Africa’s rhino success is again under pressure and is now facing a threat that could take them back to the brink of extinction,” said De Lange.

In total, R41 500 was collected, far exceeding the initial target of R20 000. The funds will used for the training and funding of anti poaching teams, DNA kits, ear notching and GPS tracking devices.

Anyone interested in assisting in further fundraising for this worthwhile cause, or for further information regarding other wildlife fundraising initiatives, can contact Gavin on Cell – 076 801 6888 or email – gavindl@mobileemail.vodafonesa.co.za

About Gabriel:

Gabriel is a division of Control Instruments Automotive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the JSE listed Control Instruments Group. Control Instruments Automotive holds the manufacturing and distribution rights to the Gabriel range of shocks, struts and cartridge products for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Gabriel is now in its 77th year in South Africa. The company manufactures shock absorbers for most vehicles.

Gabriel was originally imported into SA in 1935. During that time, the company has introduced a number of world-first designs that were subsequently manufactured in plants worldwide. It was also the first shock absorber company to advertise on TV.

Also view:

Gabriel Safari HDP Shock Manufactured In South Africa For Heavy Duty Performance Requirements

Shock Absorbers and Safety on the Road

Shock Absorbers and Safe Driving

4×4 Vehicle and Off-Road Driving Safety

[Boksburg 23 January 2012 18:00]

Shortly before 6pm ER24 paramedics were called to Trichardt Road in Boksburg after a woman’s car was allegedly washed away due to the waterlogged road.

When paramedics arrived they were alerted to an 85 year old woman who had been in the Mazda hatchback as it was washed away. Although it cannot be confirmed, it appears that a bakkie was trying to cross the water and the woman in the Mazda tried to follow. Both vehicles were then washed away.

Luckily, the Mazda came to rest in the roadside trees and the woman was able to climb out. She was treated for mild hypothermia at the scene but insisted that she did not require an ambulance to go to hospital. She would go to her own doctor with her family if the need arose. She left the scene with private transport.

The man in the bakkie was not injured.

ER24 would like to reiterate that fact that at no stage should an attempt be made to cross over such waterlogged streets. Vehicles will be washed away and the occupants could sustain very serious injuries.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

GRABOUW 23 January 2012, 11:00

3 people sustained various injuries this afternoon after 2 cars, a bakkie and a motorbike all collided on Sir Lowry’s pass near Grabouw.

The cause of the collision is unknown at this stage, but the 1 vehicle had allegedly collided head-on with the bakkie. The 3rd vehicle then collided with the initial collision. A male motorcyclist then allegedly lost control of his motorbike and fell off his motorbike sliding towards the initial collision.

When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found a total of 3 individuals in need of medical attention. The 1 male driver, believed to be aged in his mid 20’s, had sustained a suspected back, neck and chest injury as well as deep cuts to his face. The other patient and the motorcyclist also sustained suspected back and neck injuries as well as various scrapes and bruises.

All of the patients received treatment at the scene by ER24 and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health: Emergency Medical Services before being transported to nearby medical facilities.

Traffic was affected as the road was partially closed while rescue personnel attended to the scene. Local law enforcement officials attended the scene and will be investigating the incident further.

Andre Visser, ER24

[ROODEPOORT – 22 JANUARY 2012 AT 17H30]

One person is dead and sixteen other commuters have sustained injuries after a taxi lost control and rolled numerous times on Peter Road in Ruimsig, Roodepoort this afternoon.

ER24 and other emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the vehicle on the road on its wheels with extensive damage to the vehicle. Majority of the commuters were found strewn across the road with variety of injuries. Paramedics started assessing and found that one person was had already succumbed to his fatal and traumatic injuries and was declared deceased on the scene.

Two patients, a female and a male were in a critical condition and had suffered multiple injuries. Both patients needed Advanced Life Support intervention before they were airlifted by the ER24 Discovery Medicopter and another Medicopter to Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital for further rapid medical care.

Six other commuters were in a serious condition and were treated for suspected neck and back injuries and suspected broken bones. They were placed on specialised boards to protect their spines from further injury. The remaining eight patients had sustained multiple cuts and bruises and general body pains. They were transported to various hospitals in the area for further medical care.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control but the necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further.

Derrick Banks, ER24

Four people escaped without injury when their Opel Astra colided with road construction sand bags and then overturned on the N8 between Bloemfontein and Petrusburg early Sunday morning.

Stanley Schimper
Trauma Response Africa
Powered by Volvo Bloemfontein

[CAPE TOWN – 21 JANUARY 2012 AT 12H30]

A driver of a truck was in serious condition after he somehow lost control of the vehicle in a bend on the M5 onto the N1 in the direction of Cape Town this afternoon.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the truck on its side with the cabin severely damaged up against the Armco barrier, causing the driver to be entrapped inside. The Jaws of Life and other hydraulic equipment were used to gain access into the cabin for paramedics to stabilise the patient further. The driver needed advanced Life Support intervention while being stabilised further. The patient was treated for suspected neck and back injuries and minor cuts. Once freed, he was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further medical care.

It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the truck but the local authorities were on the scene and would investigate the accident further. Traffic was delayed due to the accident.

Derrick Banks, ER24

[Atlasville Benoni 20 January 2012 15:30]

A 61 year old man has been killed and a man in his 20′s injured after a side impact collision in Atlasville, Benoni.

It appears that the Hyundai was traveling along Atlas Road towards Kempton Park when the Mercedes was crossing over Atlas Road from Finch into Elisabeth. The hatchback crashed into the passenger side of the Mercedes completely crushing the entire side. The driver and only occupant of the Mercedes died of his injuries while still sitting in the driver’s seat. He had not sustained very many visual injuries and so must have died due to massive internal injuries. There was nothing further that they could do for the man and he was pronounced dead. Fire and Rescue workers would need to cut the man’s lifeless body from the wreck.

The driver, a man in his 20′s, and the only occupant of the Hyundai, was removed from the car and placed onto a spinal immobilisation board and was taken per ambulance to Linmed hospital after being stabilised on scene.

The local police department attended the scene and would determine who was at fault to cause his fatal accident.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24