A routine commute to work ended in hospital for several passengers after a fully loaded taxi was involved in a serious collision at the intersection of Chris Hani Road and Blackburn Road on Monday, 9 February.
According to an eyewitness at the scene, the incident was allegedly caused when a private vehicle failed to obey a traffic signal and cut in front of the taxi, which was travelling from the north. The sudden manoeuvre left the taxi driver with virtually no time to brake or take evasive action, resulting in a violent impact.
The eThekwini Fire Department responded swiftly to the emergency, utilising specialised equipment to assist in freeing the female driver of the private vehicle, who had become trapped inside her car.
Several injured commuters were assessed at the scene and subsequently transported to hospital by various emergency medical services. However, scenes of concern unfolded as bystanders reported that the taxi driver was initially left lying on the ground without immediate medical attention, despite having visible injuries. He later received treatment from Netcare 911 paramedics before being transported to a medical facility for further care.
Greenwood Park SAPS arrived at the scene to manage the significant traffic backlog, assess the situation, and launch a formal investigation into the precise cause of the accident.
