A serious road accident on the M7 highway near Pinetown on Wednesday evening left one person trapped in wreckage and six others injured, prompting a large-scale emergency response from paramedics and rescue services.
Just after 6pm, ALS Paramedics were called to the scene of a collision on the Durban-bound side of the M7, shortly after the Hans Dettmann on-ramp, outside Pinetown. According to emergency responders, the situation was chaotic when they arrived, with debris scattered across the roadway and several injured passengers needing urgent medical attention.
Initial reports indicate that a minibus taxi had crashed into the rear of a bakkie that was believed to have broken down on the highway. The impact of the collision caused significant damage to both vehicles, with the taxi sustaining severe front-end damage. The force of the crash left one front-seat passenger trapped inside the wreckage, unable to free themselves.
Paramedics on the scene immediately assessed the situation and called in the eThekwini Fire Department to assist with the extrication. Multiple ALS Paramedics ambulances were also dispatched to ensure that all injured victims could receive prompt and adequate medical care. Rescue teams worked carefully and efficiently using hydraulic rescue equipment, commonly known as the “Jaws of Life,” to cut through the twisted metal and free the trapped passenger.
Once the passenger was successfully extricated, they were stabilised on scene and placed into an awaiting ambulance for urgent transport to hospital. The patient was reported to be in a serious condition, while the remaining injured individuals sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate. In total, six people were treated by Advanced Life Support paramedics at the scene before being transported to various government hospitals for further medical care and observation.
Emergency services worked for some time to secure the scene, manage traffic, and ensure that all patients were safely removed and transported. Motorists traveling along the M7 experienced delays while rescue operations were underway and the wreckage was cleared from the roadway.
Authorities have confirmed that the exact circumstances leading up to the crash are still under investigation. The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with Metro Police, will be looking into the sequence of events, including why the bakkie was stationary on the highway and whether any mechanical failure, driver error, or other factors may have contributed to the collision.
This incident once again highlights the dangers of breakdowns on busy highways and the importance of proper warning measures, such as hazard lights and reflective triangles, to alert approaching motorists. It also underscores the critical role played by emergency services, whose swift response and coordinated efforts helped prevent the situation from becoming even more tragic.
Motorists are urged to exercise extra caution on major routes, especially during peak traffic hours, and to ensure that any vehicle experiencing mechanical problems is moved to a safe location where possible. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and further details are expected to be released by authorities in due course.
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