Update
GEORGE NEWS - The driver of a white Nissan bakkie was seriously injured when his vehicle collided with a white freight truck just after 08:00 on Saturday 10 February in a sharp bend of the Outeniqua Pass.
On Tuesday Bianca Carls, communications officer for the general specialist and emergency service of Western Cape Government, confirmed, "that the man is in a stable condition in George Hospital with an arm and leg fracture."
According to constable Michael Opperman, police communications officer, the truck was travelling in the direction of Oudtshoorn and the bakkie towards George.
"The bakkie's driver allegedly lost control and collided with the truck. The bakkie then swerved against the wall due to the impact of the collision.
"A case of reckless and negligent driving was opened and is under investigation."
Jaws of life
The driver of the bakkie, who sustained multiple injuries, was stabilised on the scene by paramedics of Eden 911 Ambulance Service and Metro EMS and taken to hospital.
According to ER 24 spokesperson Ineke van Huyssteen, George Fire Brigade and Metro EMS had to use the jaws of life to extricate the bakkie driver.
The truck driver and his passenger did not sustain any injuries.
ER24 assisted on the scene and Metro EMS transported the man to the hospital for further medical care.
Paramedics from Eden 911, Metro EMS and Er 24 worked together on the injured on Saturday.
Caution urged
While the emergency services including traffic and police officials were attending to the scene, a white bakkie sped downhill towards the accident scene and spun around the bend in a half-circle, managing to halt the vehicle to avoid crashing into the accident scene.
Western Cape Government Traffic Chief Quinton Williams commented on the frequency of accidents in the Outeniqua Pass.
"The slippery road surface after rains must be borne in mind when drivers travel on the Outeniqua Pass," he warned, adding that the pass continuously experiences wet climatic conditions with dew and mist, resulting in a wet road surface.
Accident statistics reveal that human error plays a major role in accidents happening.
The driver of this Nissan bakkie was seriously injured after his vehicle collided with a truck on Saturday morning shortly after 08:00. The collision caused the car to skid and swirl around to end up facing the direction he had come from.
"Accidents can be avoided by travelling slower than the 80km/h speed restriction on the pass - and caution must be exercised when the road is wet," said Williams.
There was a short downpour on Saturday morning and this undoubtedly resulted in a wet road surface in the pass on Saturday morning.
Read a previous article: Bakkie and truck collide in Outeniqua Pass
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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