The driver of a cement truck was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after the truck overturned on the south-bound lane of R102 between Northern Drive and Phoenix Highway, entrapping him in the cab, on Friday, 14 May.
Traffic was backed up as emergency and rescue personnel dashed to the scene where the driver had to be extricated using life-saving equipment. Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), Netcare 911, KZN VIP, Metro Police and the eThekwini Fire Department responded to the scene. RUSA head, Prem Balram, said, “The cement mixer was partially lifted by a tow truck while the Jaws of Life was used to free the driver from the mangled wreckage. There were long traffic delays.” According to Netcare 911 media liaison officer, Shawn Herbst, the driver of the cement truck lost control resulting in a roll-over trapping him in the cab. “The patient who had sustained serious injuries was treated on-scene by Netcare 911 Emergency Care Practitioners. Due to the nature of the patient’s condition, a Netcare 911 helicopter was activated to airlift the man to a specialist facility,” added Herbst.
