A truck driver was left fighting for his life after being severely entrapped in a serious crash on the N3 southbound near Tweedie on Saturday afternoon. The accident, which happened just before 16:50, also left a passenger injured.
Midlands EMS K9 Rescue Unit, together with Midlands EMS Advanced Life Support paramedics and emergency crews, responded swiftly to the scene. On arrival, they found the truck wrecked, with the driver trapped inside the mangled cab.
A complex rescue operation lasting over an hour was launched, using specialised hydraulic equipment to carefully free the driver. Heavy-duty tow vehicles from Joey’s Towing were brought in to help lift parts of the truck, allowing paramedics to access the patient and provide life-saving care while he remained trapped.
Due to the critical nature of the driver’s injuries, the decision was taken to call in the Netcare 911 aeromedical helicopter. Once freed, the patient was airlifted to a Level 1 trauma hospital for urgent treatment.
The truck’s passenger, who also sustained injuries, was treated at the scene before being transported by ambulance to the same trauma facility.
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Authorities attended the scene to manage traffic and begin investigations into the cause of the crash. The coordinated efforts of Midlands EMS, K9 Rescue, Joey’s Towing, and Netcare 911 were credited with ensuring rapid and effective care for both patients.
Motorists travelling along the N3 near Tweedie were advised to expect delays as emergency services worked into the evening to clear the scene.
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