Nine injured in taxi crash

WHILE no fatalities have been reported, an accident on the N14 involving two taxis, believed to be carrying 30 passengers between them, has left nearly a dozen commuters in hospital and has resulted in a criminal investigation.

The incident occurred at approximately 7am yesterday morning when a Toyota Quantum and a VW Crafter were involved in a collision on the N14.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said that a criminal case was being investigated following the accident.

“The Siyathemba police are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving following an accident on the N14,” Tawana said yesterday afternoon.

“At this stage we can confirm that nine persons were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries as a result of the impact.”

Spokesperson for Lenmed hospital in Kathu, Marlize Kruger, said yesterday that following the accident several patients were admitted, most of whom continued to receive medical attention at the private hospital.

“I can’t recall the exact number that were treated by us but all of those who are still patients of ours are in a stable condition,” Kruger said yesterday afternoon. “However, two patients, one in a critical condition, were transported to Kimberley.

“None of the injured passengers seem to know what happened or what may have caused the accident.”

Both patients who were moved to Kimberley were transported by Emer-G-Med, who required their mobile ICU unit, the only ambulance of its kind in the Province, to transport the more seriously injured of the two.

The spokesperson for Mediclinic Gariep, Denise Coetzee, confirmed that one patient had been transferred to the facility in Kimberley with neck and head injuries stemming from the accident.