Multiple vehicle collision leaves one dead‚ at least 15 injured

A child was killed and at least 15 other people injured in a multiple vehicle collision on the M1 north of Johannesburg on Sunday morning‚ ER24 said.

The accident occurred on the north-bound freeway just before the Corlett Drive turn-off. “ER24 paramedics‚ along with other services‚ arrived on the scene and found the four vehicles in the middle of the road. One of the vehicles‚ a taxi‚ had burst into flames‚” said ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring. Paramedics assessed the situation while fire services extinguished the burning taxi‚ he said.

“An 8-year-old girl was found lying in the middle of the road‚ believed to have been pulled from one of the vehicles by her father.

“Upon assessment‚ paramedics found that the girl showed no signs [of life].

“Paramedics immediately began their treatment and initiated CPR interventions. Unfortunately‚ after some time‚ no vital signs returned and the girl was declared dead on the scene‚” Meiring said.

He said that about 15 other people suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

“The patients were treated for their injuries and thereafter transported to various hospitals for further treatment.

“The cause of the collision is not yet known but local authorities were on scene for further investigations.”