/ 15 July 2008

Death toll rises to eight after truck crash

Another person has died following a head-on collision between a seven-tonne construction truck and a heavy-duty tow truck in Randfontein, Johannesburg Emergency Services said on Tuesday.

This brought the death toll to eight since the accident occurred along Randfontein road, on the West Rand, on Monday afternoon. Seven people died at the scene.

”The eighth patient was certified dead on arrival at the Leratong Hospital on the West Rand. The patient is believed to have suffered massive trauma to the head,” said spokesperson Percy Morokane.

”The drivers of both vehicles were killed instantly. The construction truck had 10 other people on board. Five passengers from the truck died.”

Six people were seriously injured. Two of them were taken to the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

Morokane said most of those killed lost limbs and suffered massive injuries.

The accident was believed to have been caused by driver error. The heavy-duty tow truck apparently belonged to the Randfontein Traffic Department in Mogale City. – Sapa