KwaZulu-Natal’s roads witnessed a grim double tragedy this week, with two separate head-on collisions resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The incidents, which occurred on the N11 Amajuba Pass near Newcastle and the R34 near Mnancamana outside Vryheid, highlight the ongoing dangers faced by motorists on the province’s highways.
The first incident, reported this afternoon, involved a serious head-on collision on the N11 Amajuba Pass. KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service paramedics arrived at the scene to find two vehicles extensively damaged after a direct impact. The collision’s devastating force resulted in the immediate loss of life for two occupants, who tragically succumbed to their injuries before emergency services could provide assistance.
“Upon arrival, paramedics discovered two vehicles had collided head-on. Two occupants tragically succumbed to their injuries prior to the arrival of emergency services,” reported KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service.
In addition to the fatalities, paramedics found one patient critically injured and trapped within their vehicle, while another suffered serious injuries. Fire and Rescue Services were called in to assist with the extraction of the critically injured patient, using specialized rescue equipment to carefully remove them from the wreckage.
“Furthermore, one patient sustained critical injuries and was entrapped within their vehicle. Another patient suffered serious injuries. With the assistance of Fire and Rescue Services, specialized rescue equipment was utilized to extricate the critically injured patient,” the ambulance service detailed.
Both injured patients received on-scene stabilisation and were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care. The exact nature of their injuries and their current condition have not been released, pending updates from the hospital.
A second, equally devastating head-on collision occurred overnight on the R34 near Mnancamana, outside Vryheid. This incident involved a truck and a car, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries. KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service responded to what they described as a chaotic scene.
“Last night an incident unfolded prompting a swift response from KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service. Upon arrival, paramedics discovered a chaotic scene with two vehicles severely damaged,” the ambulance service reported.
The impact of the collision claimed the life of one occupant before paramedics arrived. The remaining occupants suffered a range of injuries, with two patients sustaining critical injuries, two others suffering serious injuries, including an approximately one-year-old baby, and four others sustaining minor injuries.
One critically injured patient was trapped in the wreckage, requiring the use of specialized rescue equipment for their extraction. All injured individuals received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment. The condition of those injured, including the baby, remains unknown at this time.
“The remaining occupants sustained a range of injuries; two critically injured patients, two seriously injured patients, including an approximately 1-year-old baby, and four patients with minor injuries. One critically injured patient was trapped within the wreckage, necessitating the use of specialized rescue equipment to extricate them. All injured individuals received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment,” the ambulance service stated.
The causes of both collisions are currently under investigation by local authorities. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices and the devastating consequences of road accidents.
