By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Paramedics says at least 70 people were injured with one person airlifted to hospital in a multi-vehicle collision on the N1 near Garsfontein in Pretoria.
An ambulance, bus, and truck were among at least 16 vehicles involved in the crash on N1 in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
City of Tshwane emergency medical services spokesperson Charles Mabaso confirmed that a bus, taxi, truck, ambulance, and 12 cars had been involved in a pile-up on the northbound side of the highway, before the Garsfontein exit.
All lanes travelling north were closed to traffic, causing severe traffic delays.
Mabaso said all lanes have since been reopened and road users are urged to practise good road safety at all times.
He could not confirm exactly how many injuries there were, saying a patient count was still being carried out by emergency teams.
Emer-G-Med’s Kyle van Reenen said paramedics and emergency services teams responded to the accident scene.
Van Reenen said, the incident command officers established an on-scene triage area and further investigation revealed one patient to be in a critical condition. Advanced Life Support intervention was needed to stabilise him before he was airlifted through to a specialist facility for the definitive care that he required.
The remaining patients were treated on scene and transported by ambulances to various nearby hospitals for further medical care,” said Van Reenen.
The cause of the collision is still being investigated.