Two men lost their lives in a horrific head-on collision involving two bakkies on the M1 Higginson Highway in Chatsworth on Tuesday night.
According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly before 11pm after reports of a serious crash on the eastbound carriageway before the Havenside traffic lights.
Upon arrival, paramedics were confronted with a devastating scene.
“Paramedics arrived on the scene to find chaos and carnage as they found that two vehicles, both bakkies, had collided head-on,” he said.
Emergency personnel quickly assessed the situation and discovered that two male occupants in one of the vehicles were severely trapped in the wreckage. However, tragedy struck moments later.
“As paramedics approached the vehicle, the vehicle burst into flames and unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do except wait for the eThekwini Fire Department,” said Jamieson.
“Once the fire had been extinguished paramedics assessed the patients. However both men had sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased on the scene,” he said.
The driver of the second vehicle escaped with minor injuries and was treated on scene before being transported to the hospital under police guard.
“At this stage the events leading up to the crash are unknown. However, SAPS were in attendance and will be investigating further,” Jamieson added.
The crash has once again raised concerns about safety on Higginson Highway, with community leaders describing the route as one of the most dangerous roads in the area.
Rocky Naidoo of the Bayview Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Havenside Civic Association said the highway had become increasingly hazardous, particularly at night due to poor lighting.
“Higginson Highway is a death trap. The total number of accidents is about 1,200 for a year. The poor lighting is a problem. The once best-lit highway is no more,” said Naidoo.
“After 6pm, driving on the highway is a no-no. The highway has been like that for over 10 years.”
Naidoo called on municipal authorities to urgently address the long-standing lighting issues.
Police investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing.
