Taxi driver rescued after three hours in wreckage,11 fatalities confirmed
Emergency responders use the Jaws of Life to rescue a taxi driver from the wreckage of a devastating KZN crash that claimed 11 lives.
Image: Supplied
THE driver of the taxi involved in the horrific R102 crash that resulted in the deaths of 11 people has been freed from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
ALS Paramedics reported that the Jaws of Life were employed to extricate the driver during a rescue operation that lasted three hours.
The accident occurred on the R102, near Lotus Park in Isipingo, south of Durban, shortly after 7:30 am.
"Multiple patients were found entrapped, and immediately, the eThekwini Fire Department was called to assist," said spokesperson Garrith Jamieson
"Unfortunately, 11 people have lost their lives on the scene, including a 13-year-old. Approximately eight others have sustained critical injuries and have been rushed to the hospital," he added.
Following the accident, the roadway has been closed to facilitate ongoing investigations. The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, is en route to the accident scene and has extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
"This accident has occurred after we recorded a historic 18% decrease in fatalities during the festive season," Duma remarked.
He further mentioned that a team from the Department of Transport (DOT) has been assigned to locate the families of those affected. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that they receive the necessary support."
Witnesses have alleged that the truck driver made a U-turn, resulting in the head-on collision. "It is for these reasons that I have mandated the RTI team to work with the Durban Metro Police and SAPS as part of an investigation. We want to establish the cause of this accident," Duma added.