Driver critical after truck crashes into emergency service vehicles attending to another accident on N3 near Shongweni

Medical equipment from an ambulance scattered across the side of the N3 near Shongweni after a truck crashed into multiple emergency services vehicles.

A truck crashed into multiple emergency services vehicles on the N3 eastbound near Shongweni leaving the driver in a critical condition. Picture: Netcare 911

Published Sep 29, 2022

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Durban - A truck driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle on the N3 eastbound near Shongweni and collided with emergency services who were attending to another accident on Thursday.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said Netcare 911 responded to a collision just after 4pm.

Herbst said reports indicated that the secondary collision occurred while emergency services were attending to an accident in the centre median.

“The driver of a heavy motor vehicle transporting ore lost control, resulting in the vehicle crashing into multiple emergency vehicles resulting in a roll-over,” he said.

He said eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, government EMS, Hillcrest SAPS and the Mariannhill Road Traffic Inspectorate were also at the scene.

According to Herbst, paramedics found that the truck driver, an adult male, had sustained critical injuries.

“The Fire and Rescue Services used hydraulic tools to free the man while emergency care practitioners treated him,” he said.

Once stabilised, the man was transported to hospital for further care, he added.

A truck crashed into multiple emergency services vehicles on the N3 eastbound near Shongweni leaving the driver in a critical condition. Picture: Netcare 911.

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, Netcare 911 attended to an unusual emergency after they were called to locate a 30-year-old man who was missing since Tuesday near the Giba Gorge in Shongweni.

Herbst said a search was conducted by the family and the man's car was found in a remote area, with no sign of him.

He said the terrain was inaccessible and as a result emergency services were contacted to assist. Durban Metro Search and Rescue and START Rescue were also in attendance.

A young man, missing since Tuesday, was found dehydrated and severely sick in the dense bush near the Giba Gorge in Shongweni. Picture. Netcare 911.

“A rope rescue system was assembled to lower a Netcare 911 Rescue Technician and a Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue Officer. Once located, special retrieval equipment was sent down to package the patient who was found dehydrated, confused and kept losing consciousness. Once treated and safely secured, the patient was hauled up to an awaiting ambulance,” said Herbst.

A young man, missing since Tuesday, was found dehydrated and severely sick in the dense bush near the Giba Gorge in Shongweni. Picture. Netcare 911

Herbst said the patient required advanced life support intervention to stabilise him and he was transported to a medical facility for the care he required.

THE MERCURY