Rescuers worked tirelessly to rescue a critically injured truck driver who was entrapped in his overturned truck on the M4 highway in Durban last.
Netcare 911 paramedics responded to the accident at 20H23 which happened on the M4 in La Mercy, North of Durban.
Reports from the scene indicate that the driver of a heavy motor vehicle lost control resulting in the truck rolling down an embankment.
When medics arrived on scene they found a driver an adult male who was also the only occupant, entrapped in the cab under the trailer.
Netcare 911 Emergency Care Practitioners managed to gain just enough access to treat the patient under very cramped and difficult circumstances.
Standard hydraulic rescue tools were used to remove sharp metal around the driver however more advanced heavy duty hydraulic equipment was needed to free the man who had been entrapped for over an hour.
Once the Ethekwini Fire and Rescue Services and a Netcare 911 Rescue Technician managed to free the driver a rope rescue system was used with a specialised stretcher to haul the patient up a steep embankment back to the roadside.
Once stabilised the critically injured patient was airlifted by an awaiting Netcare 911 helicopter ambulance to a specialist facility.
Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the relevant authorities.
