KNYSNA NEWS - The driver of a truck that crashed into the Knysna Lagoon early yesterday morning 20 November, is currently receiving treatment in hospital after sustaining several injuries.
The incident occurred around 05:30 when the truck veered off the road and plunged into the lagoon.
Emergency services and rescue teams, quickly responded to the scene, managing to extract the driver from the partly submerged vehicle.
Recent information indicate that the driver sustained a head wound and several broken ribs. However, sources confirm that the injuries are not life-threatening, and the driver is expected to recover.
Absorbent fibre
A Spill Tech response team was deployed to the scene to mitigate possible environmental damage from diesel fuel or other hazardous substances. Absorbent fibre and booms were positioned on and near the truck. A team from SANParks, the entity managing the Knysna Estuary, was also on-site, monitoring the situation to ensure clean-up efforts were effective.
Two tow trucks were needed to pull the truck, which weighed about 25 tons, from the estuary. This process took about 5 hours, and afterwards traffic returned to normal.
Police investigation
In a statement, Knysna police said a docket would be opened in connection with the accident, and an investigation to determine the cause of it was under way.
"The exact cause of the driver's 'loss of control' is still under investigation, but the authorities have stated that no other vehicles were involved, and the cargo of the truck remains to be determined.
"While the driver's condition is still unknown, the swift actions of emergency responders have helped to prevent a larger environmental disaster," the statement said.
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