DURBAN – A family's desperate attempt to get medical help for a loved one turned into a tragedy of unimaginable proportions this past Sunday morning, as a single-vehicle crash in the Cato Ridge area, west of Durban, claimed the lives of five people. The victims, all believed to be family members from KwaXimba, were transporting a man who had been assaulted and stabbed to a nearby clinic when disaster struck on Eddie Hagen Drive.
The incident, which occurred before 6am, has left one person critically injured and the community reeling from the devastating loss.
ALS Paramedics Medical Services spokesperson Garrith Jamieson described the scene that greeted paramedics as one of "utter devastation," with the vehicle practically torn in two after it veered off the road and crashed into a concrete drain.
According to reports, the family of six were rushing the critically injured patient to a local clinic after he had been assaulted and stabbed. It is currently unclear what circumstances led to the initial assault incident. As they sped along Eddie Hagen Drive, the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the catastrophic collision.
"Paramedics assessed the scene and found that all six males had sustained major injuries," Jamieson said.
Emergency personnel worked frantically to stabilise two patients at the scene. However, despite their best efforts, one of the injured went into cardiac arrest and was declared dead at the scene. Four people were declared dead upon the arrival of paramedics.
"While paramedics were working on the remaining two, one of the patients went into a state of cardiac arrest. Despite emergency services' best efforts, the patient also passed away on the scene," Jamieson confirmed.
The sixth person, who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. His current condition remains unknown.
Five people have been killed in a horrific accident north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). #KZN #Accident #CatoRidge #ArriveAlive @TrafficRTMC Video: ALS Paramedics. @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/XgLEUPkcuA
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The Durban Metro Police Service confirmed that they and the South African Police Service (SAPS) were attending to the crash, which resulted in the fatalities. Authorities closed Eddie Hagen Drive to allow for investigations and the clearing of the scene.
"The road has since been closed by police to clear the scene," a statement from ALS Paramedics read.
Metro police advised motorists to avoid Eddie Hagen Drive and use alternative routes to prevent further congestion and delays.
"We urge all road users to drive with extreme caution, especially in difficult conditions," the metro police said. It is unclear at this stage what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Jamieson confirmed that a multi-disciplinary team, including paramedics, the Metro Police Search and Rescue unit, the eThekwini Fire Department, and the SAPS, were on scene to investigate the cause of the accident.
"I would advise all motorists to avoid this area at all costs," Jamieson added, highlighting the severity of the situation and the ongoing investigation.
The SAPS collision unit is conducting investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash. The road was expected to remain closed for some time to allow for a thorough investigation and the safe removal of the wreckage.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa are scheduled to brief the media on Tuesday regarding the release of the Easter weekend road safety report.
The report will provide an account of the impact of the Easter weekend road safety campaign interventions, as well as details on road crashes and fatalities during that period. While the Cato Ridge tragedy occurred after the Easter weekend, it is likely to add further weight to the ongoing efforts to improve road safety across the country.
N3 Toll Route Prepared for Increased Traffic
As the investigation into the Cato Ridge crash continues, N3TC (N3 Toll Concession) and its road incident management system (RIMS) partners are preparing for an expected increase in southbound traffic volumes towards KwaZulu-Natal. With a long weekend approaching, many people from Gauteng and other provinces are anticipated to travel to the coast.
N3TC chief operating officer Thania Dhoogra reported that conditions along the N3 route are currently cloudy, and traffic is flowing freely.
Patience Urged on the Roads
Dhoogra urged motorists to exercise patience and caution while travelling.
"Road users are, however, reminded to always be prepared for sudden changes in route and weather conditions which could impact the flow of traffic, and cause congestion and delays, especially during peak traffic periods," Dhoogra cautioned. "Always allow for unforeseen circumstances when planning your road trip."
Dhoogra also encouraged passengers to actively support drivers by being extra vigilant and helping to monitor their surroundings, anticipating potentially dangerous situations.
