Patient Killed In Ambulance Accident, Crew Members Injured

A Tuberculosis (TB) patient lost their life in a collision involving an ambulance and a truck in Macleantown, Eastern Cape. The accident occurred near East London while the patient was being transported to Nkqubela TB Hospital in Mdantsane by Burgersdorp Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff.

Ambulance Accident

The Eastern Cape Department of Health reported that the TB patient was pronounced dead at the scene. The two EMS personnel accompanying the patient were trapped inside the wrecked vehicle and required extrication with the Jaws of Life.

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Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa confirmed that the EMS crew members sustained injuries but were not life-threatening.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the patient. This tragic accident has brought immense sorrow, and we wish our EMS crew members a speedy recovery,” Capa stated.

The injured EMS crew members were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. An investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) is underway to determine the circumstances leading to this fatal accident.

Recent Hijacking Incident

This accident follows a recent alarming incident in the province, where an ambulance was hijacked at gunpoint near Qumbu.

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The ambulance, which was transporting an eight-year-old patient from Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Regional Hospital in Mbizana to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, was commandeered by armed assailants who forced the EMS crew and patient out of the vehicle. The ambulance remains missing.

Health MEC Capa condemned the act, saying, “Such attacks on healthcare workers compromise service delivery and leave both the crew and patients traumatised. Counseling will be provided to those affected, and we are thankful that there were no physical injuries.”

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