January 20, 2004
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
FOUR Johannesburg fire fighters, rushing to the scene of a car crash in Midrand, were slightly injured on Monday when the fire truck they were driving overturned during a rainstorm.
The accident happened on the Modderfontein Road, near Rabie Ridge, north of Johannesburg on Monday morning.
According to Malcolm Midgley, spokesperson for the City's Emergency Management Services, a driver on the road in front of the fire truck braked instead of moving to the side of the road. "The EMS team tried to avoid the vehicle and the driver lost control of the truck and it overturned."
The four fire fighters, all from the Midrand Fire Station, "sustained minor injuries". One fire fighter was taken to Carstenhof Clinic in Midrand, where he was treated for a whiplash injury. The other three were taken to the Sunninghill Hospital, where the one was treated for a pain in his leg, the second received treatment for lower back pain and the third had a broken nose.
According to Midgley this was the eighth road accident since January 2003 involving EMS personnel. "Most accidents are due to other drivers not knowing what to do when an emergency vehicle is approaching."
Basic rules for drivers include:
- Slow down and try and move out of the way to the left-hand side of the road; and
- Allow the driver of the emergency vehicle to overtake.
Emergency vehicles should stop at intersections to ensure the road is clear, before proceeding, Midgley added. They should also sound their sirens and use the warning lights when responding to an emergency call.
Midgley said emergency response drivers were not above the law: "They are obliged to exercise caution and are responsible if involved in an accident while crossing a red traffic light."
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
