This morning (02 August) at around 8:30, two trucks carrying coal were travelling in convoy on the R24 east just before the Barbara Road off ramp in Edenvale, when the first truck allegedly clipped a cargo truck while overtaking it. This caused the driver of the coal truck to lose control and overturn, rolling down an embankment and landing in the street below. The driver of the second coal truck also lost control, overturned and tumbled down the same embankment.

The Matrix Road Safety Association vehicle arrived on scene to find spilled coal on the road and one of the truck drivers lying outside of the vehicle. The on board Emer-G-Med medic immediately began to treat the injured driver who had sustained injuries to his head and chest. “Both the drivers were transported by Emer-G-Med to nearby hospitals. The drivers sustained moderate to serious injuries,” reports Terence Teixeira from the Matrix Road Safety Association who arrived on the scene.

Traffic was heavily affected. “Drivers on the opposite side of the highway were slowing to take a look at what had happened almost causing further accidents. We urge motorist to be more cautious around accidents and to maintain traffic flow.  Slowing to see what is happening may simply cause further accidents,” he advises.

For more information on the Matrix Road Safety Association visit www.matrix.co.za.

Coal trucks collide and roll down embankment in Edenvale