truck

One truck rear-ended another on the N2 in Umhlanga. Image: IPSS Medical Rescue

Truck rear-ends another on the N2 in Umhlanga

One person was left trapped and had to be extracted by the fire department after one truck rear-ended another in KwaZulu-Natal

truck

One truck rear-ended another on the N2 in Umhlanga. Image: IPSS Medical Rescue

Emergency services responded to a scene where a truck rear-ended another truck on the N2 near Umhlanga on Tuesday, 31 January 2023.

Truck driver entrapped after accident

When paramedics arrived, paramedics found the driver of one of the trucks severely entrapped.

IPSS Medical Rescue paramedics stabilised the man before the Durban Metro Fire Department extricated him.

The man suffered critical injuries and was taken to the hospital for further medical treatment.

The driver of the truck that was rear-ended was fortunate to be unharmed.

One person was left entrapped after his truck rear-ended another. Image: Medi Response Facebook page

What to do at an accident scene

With many accidents occurring on our roads, you might find yourself on the scene of one.

Here is what you can do:

  • The safety of accident victims, emergency personnel, and other road users is the most important goal when an accident occurs.
  • The first hour following an accident is known as the “Golden Hour,” and doctors say seriously injured car crash victims must receive comprehensive medical care within 60 minutes to have a good chance of survival. This scenario gives rescuers about 12 minutes at the accident scene to extricate the injured and get them to the hospital.
  • Consider the traffic flow at the scene. Is it a risk to you or others, including the casualty?
  • Consider the impact on emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene before stopping traffic.
  • If anyone is available, send someone up and down the road to wave down traffic.
  • Turn on hazard lights and ignite flares if the incident happened at night to warn oncoming motorists of the danger.
  • Consider the positioning of any vehicles involved in the incident and the potential hazards they may pose (such as rolling forwards or backwards). Consider safety – constantly reassess the safety of the scene, especially if you rely on others to keep you safe.
  • Turn off all of the vehicles involved in the collision.

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