Eleven people, including a child, were killed in a devastating collision involving a fully-loaded taxi and a truck on Wanda Cele Road (old R102), near Lotus Park in Isipingo, early on Thursday morning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after alerts were circulated, with law enforcement and multiple rescue teams responding.
According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, paramedics arrived to find a scene of chaos and devastation.
“A fully-loaded taxi and a truck collided, causing both vehicles to veer off the roadway. The taxi was pinned against a tree by the truck, leaving multiple passengers trapped inside,” Jamieson said.
The eThekwini Fire Department worked swiftly to cut open the vehicle and extricate the entrapped passengers. Despite their efforts, 11 people, including one child, were declared dead at the scene.
Jamieson confirmed that the taxi driver remained severely entrapped at the time of reporting, with firefighters continuing rescue operations to free him. Once extricated, he will be transported to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Approximately eight other passengers sustained injuries and were transported to various hospitals for further medical care.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area as emergency operations continue and authorities conduct investigations into the cause of the crash.
