11 patients injured in crash
‘We suspect that the vehicle was not roadworthy and the department is trying to cover up the incident. They risked our lives and we could all have been dead’
A CASE of reckless and negligent driving is being investigated after more than 10 people were injured when a Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDOH) patient transport vehicle was involved in an accident yesterday morning.
According to patients, the vehicle was travelling from Postmasburg to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley and was carrying 11 patients when the accident occurred roughly 20 kilometres from Postmasburg at around 8am yesterday morning.
The patients included pregnant women, children and elderly, who were on their way to Kimberley for appointments and medical treatment.
One patient, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the female driver of the NCDOH patient transporter (a Mercedes-benz Sprinter) was reluctant to drive the vehicle when they were ready to depart for Kimberley.
“The female driver said that she did not want to drive the vehicle, as she did not know how to and only had experience in driving ambulances. However, she was instructed by her superiors to take the wheel and we departed.
“About 20 kilometres outside of Postmasburg, she overtook two vehicles, a Volvo and a Toyota, before attempting to also overtake a truck. However, when she was already in the right-hand lane she noticed oncoming vehicles and swerved back into the left lane, colliding with the truck’s trailer with the left side of the vehicle. We were dragged under the truck for about 100 metres, with chaos breaking out amongst the patients who started to scream and cry.
“We screamed at the driver to hit the brakes, which she did, causing the vehicle to dislodge itself from under the truck. After we came to a standstill, the driver said that the vehicle’s brakes and clutch were not working properly,” the patient said.
He added that when the police arrived on the scene, no statements were taken from any of the patients.
Reschedule
The patients were all transported by ambulance back to Postmasburg Hospital, where they were told to return on Monday to reschedule appointments and treatments in Kimberley.
“We suspect that the vehicle was not roadworthy and the department is trying to cover up the incident. They risked our lives and we could all have been dead,” another patient said.
Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock yesterday confirmed that police in Postmasburg were investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving following the incident.
“A patient transport vehicle collided with a truck approximately 20 kilometres outside of Postmasburg, while en route to Kimberley. All 12 occupants were transported to hospital for medical observation and treatment where necessary. The truck driver did not suffer any injuries,” Kock said.
NCDOH spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo confirmed that a patient transporter had been involved in an accident. She said that 20 people, including 16 patients and three escorts and emergency personnel, were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
“Twelve people sustained minor injuries and were transported to Postmasburg Hospital for treatment. One maternity case was transported to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital for further care,” Mxekezo said.