Taxi and truck collision near Stellenbosch leaves 11 injured

WARNING: This article contains content that some readers may find disturbing.

Following the head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a waste-removal truck, two passengers were taken to the Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital, according to an official working at Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital. PHOTO: Mia van der Merwe

A head-on collision between a truck and a minibus taxi near Stellenbosch on 25 August left 11 people injured.

This was according to captain Nathalie Martin, communications officer at the South African Police Services (SAPS) Stellenbosch. 

The minibus taxi was transporting 14 people at the time of the collision, which took place on the R44 across from Avontuur Wine Estate, stated Martin. 

The taxi collided with a general waste removal truck.

Some of the injured passengers were taken to Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital for minor injuries on the morning of 25 August, said Martin.

The driver of a taxi that collided head-on into a general waste truck near Stellenbosch on the R44 on 25 August, has been transferred from Stellenbosch Provincial hospital to Tygerberg Hospital, according to a nurse on duty at the provincial hospital who requested anonymity. PHOTO: Mia van der Merwe

On the scene

Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue were called to the scene at 8:04, said Tasso Steyn, assistant fire chief for Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue.

Officials had to close off the right lane as the vehicles were obstructing the flow of traffic.

Seven firefighters arrived on the scene around 8:30 and remained on site for an hour and 10 minutes, said Steyn.

“[The firefighters] struggled to get the driver out [of the taxi],” said Steyn.

Of the 14 passengers, 11 were injured, said Steyn. “There were multiple ambulances and local law enforcement members on the scene.” 

Of the 11 injured passengers, two passengers were transported to the Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital, according to an official working at the hospital who asked to remain anonymous.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the R44 near Avontuur Wine Estate outside of Stellenbosch. This was according to Tasso Steyn, assistant fire chief at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue. VIDEO: Mia van der Merwe

State of injuries

The taxi driver and a woman were transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for further evaluation the afternoon of the incident, said a nurse who was on duty at Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital’s emergency room.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED/Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue