On Tuesday morning, a devastating accident occurred on the Durban-bound carriageway of the M4 Ruth First Highway, tragically leading to the deaths of a nine-month-pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
The incident necessitated the closure of the roadway to traffic following the crash. According to Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, the collision transpired just after 11 am.
Upon arrival, paramedics were met with a chaotic scene characterized by a rear-end collision between two vehicles, resulting in multiple injuries.
Emergency services were swiftly dispatched to the scene, including additional paramedics and advanced life support medics, to manage the critical situation.
A total of eight patients sustained injuries, spanning from moderate to critical in severity. The pregnant woman, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, suffered severe injuries and went into cardiac arrest at the scene.
Despite the immediate response and efforts to stabilize her condition, she was transported to a private medical facility. Unfortunately, medical professionals were unable to save either her or her unborn baby, and both were declared deceased at the hospital.
According to Garrith Jamieson, paramedics arrived promptly at the scene to assess the situation. Given the severity of the incident and the multiple casualties, additional emergency personnel, including advanced life support teams, were dispatched to provide critical care.
Their coordinated efforts were instrumental in managing the scene effectively and offering immediate medical interventions to those affected.
Among the casualties were seven patients, including three children, who required stabilization before being transported to various hospitals in Durban
. The paramedics worked diligently to ensure that each patient received the necessary care, prioritizing their conditions and providing appropriate medical attention. This rapid response and the efficient management of resources undoubtedly played a crucial role in mitigating further harm and stabilizing the victims.
The specific events leading up to the collision remain unclear at this stage. However, the South African Police Service (SAPS) was promptly present at the accident site and has since launched a thorough investigation.
