Eight people were killed in a head-on collision between a taxi and a light motor vehicle on Melkbosstrand Street between Melkbosstrand and Philadelphia on Monday October 26.
According to ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring, emergency responders found the light motor vehicle parked in the road while the taxi was found lying on its side on the side of the road.
“Several people were found lying scattered around on the scene while a man was found lying trapped inside the taxi. Medics assessed the patients and found that eight people from the taxi had sustained numerous fatal injuries. Nothing could be done for them, and they were declared dead,” said Mr Meiring.
At least 10 other patients were tended to on the scene, including the trapped man.
Rescue workers had used various tools to free the man from the taxi, said Mr Meiring.
“Once freed, medics treated the patients and provided the critically injured with advanced life support interventions. Once treated, one critically injured man was airlifted by the Air Mercy Service (AMS) medical helicopter to a nearby hospital.
“The remaining patients were transported to various hospitals for further care.”