ALBERTON, Gauteng - Two people were killed and more than 50 hurt when a petrol tanker crashed into rush-hour traffic in this town south-east of Johannesburg on Tuesday (Oct 14) morning.
A spokesman for an emergency services company said: “A petrol tanker driver apparently lost control and collided with multiple vehicles. When emergency crews arrived they found multiple vehicles and car parts spread across the road."
Two people were dead and of the 54 injured, seven were critically so.
'RAPID TREATMENT NEEDED'
"Paramedics immediately began their treatment of the patients, providing them with advanced life support," he said. "Extra resources were called in by the emergency services to help treat the injured on scene."
VIDEO: Alberton tanker crash aftermath
One of the critically injured patients required rapid advanced life support and was flown to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for further treatment. The rest were treated for their injuries and taken to nearby hospitals.
"The driver of the petrol tanker told paramedics that his brakes failed, causing him to collide with... multiple vehicles."
The crash,which happened at about 7.30am, brought back immediate memories of the Fields Hill smash in Pinetown, KZN, that killed 24 people - many of them in taxis - when an out-of-control truck smashed through a major traffic junction.And, lest we forget:
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