KwaZulu-Natal Accidents Leave Over 30 Injured in a Single Day
Two Crashes Cause Significant Injuries
More than 30 individuals, including schoolchildren, were injured in two separate accidents in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Monday, January 13, 2025. Both incidents are under investigation by authorities.
### Taxi Accident Leaves 15 Schoolchildren Injured
The first accident occurred on the M4 northbound before the M41 in Umhlanga at approximately 11:00 am. A taxi carrying schoolchildren lost control, veered off the road, and came to rest in the bushes.
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Medical Services, reported that the accident severely disrupted traffic. Emergency responders quickly set up a triage system to assess the injuries and dispatched additional ambulances and advanced life support paramedics to the scene.
“Approximately 15 schoolchildren, aged between 10 and 14, sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious,” Jamieson said. “They were stabilized on the scene and transported to various Durban hospitals for further treatment.”
The cause of the accident remains unclear, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) is conducting an investigation to determine the events leading up to the crash.
### Taxi Collides with Car, Injuring 18
A second accident occurred shortly after, at around 12:30 pm, on the N3 Durban-bound near Spine Road. A taxi and a light motor vehicle collided, causing both vehicles to overturn multiple times.
Jamieson described the scene as “total carnage,” noting that some passengers were ejected from the taxi during the crash. Emergency responders established a triage system and called for additional paramedics to assist with the multiple casualties.
“A total of 18 people sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe,” Jamieson said. “They were stabilized at the scene by advanced life support paramedics and transported to various Durban hospitals for further treatment.”
As with the first incident, the cause of the crash is still under investigation by SAPS.
### Traffic and Safety Concerns
Both accidents caused significant disruptions to traffic on major routes in Durban. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to road safety regulations to prevent further incidents.
### Ongoing Investigations
While the exact causes of these accidents remain unknown, police and emergency services continue to investigate. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of road safety in South Africa, particularly involving public transport vehicles such as taxis.
### Conclusion
The two accidents in KZN serve as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety. With over 30 people injured, including vulnerable schoolchildren, the incidents underscore the critical need for stricter safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
