Two killed, one airlifted from Gauteng garbage truck crash
Two people were killed and one was critically injured when a large waste removal truck overturned on Soutpansberg Road in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday afternoon, Gauteng paramedics said.
"Paramedics from ER24 arrived on the scene where they found the waste truck lying on its side next to the road," ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said.
“One person from the truck was found laying at the back. He had sustained severe traumatic injuries. Sadly, there was nothing that paramedics could do for him and he was declared dead on the scene."
“Upon further assessment, paramedics found two people trapped halfway under the truck near the cabin. One of them was found with fatal injuries and declared dead. The other person was in a critical condition,” said Vermaak.
Paramedics were unable to remove him from underneath the truck and a large towing vehicle was called to the scene to partially lift the truck to free him. Once freed, paramedics found that he sustained severe traumatic injuries. He was placed on life support and a medical helicopter was called to the scene to airlift him to hospital. Rescue workers struggled for over an hour to free the trapped man.
Two other workers were found near the truck with moderate injuries. They were assessed, treated, and transported to a nearby hospital. The cause of the accident was not yet known. Local authorities attended the scene and would investigate, Vermaak said.
– African News Agency (ANA)