Johannesburg - Six people were killed when a truck crashed through a road construction site on the R26 outside Ladybrand in the Free State, paramedics said on Thursday.
“Paramedics from ER24 and local emergency services arrived on the scene and found the construction workers scattered across the scene. The large truck was found on the side of the road with its load of bricks also scattered across the scene,” ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said in a statement.
Five men, believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, were found with fatal injuries. They were declared dead on the scene. It was believed some of the workers were dragged for several metres by the truck before it veered to the side of the road.
“Two people were found with various injuries. One of them was in a critical condition and rushed off to a nearby hospital by the local emergency services. Sadly the man succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival at hospital,” said Vermaak.
The other man was said to be in a serious, but stable condition in hospital.
According to bystanders on the scene, the truck ploughed through road signs into the construction area. A second truck managed to stop before also crashing into the scene.
Sapa