Motor Vehicle Accident on N1, Monte Vista Turn-off

Western Cape Government Health's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a motor vehicle accident earlier this morning.

At 08:20 on the N1 at the Monte Vista turn-off, direction Paarl - EMS ambulance and rescue responded to a side-impact collision between two South African Police Services (SAPS) vehicles, a patrol van and prisoner transporter vehicle, where six patients were coded serious. Two adult male police officers in the patrol van sustained back and hand injuries and the four prisoners (one female and three males), mechanically entrapped as the vehicle was bolted, were helped by EMS rescue medics with the use of the Jaws of Life to cut the metal and free the prisoners from the wreckage. They complained of back pain. Patients were transported to the Belville Melomed Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital by EMS ambulance and ER24.

Rescue 6, a truck with a crane, was used to move the prisoner transporter back onto its wheels. Thereafter, the rescuers were able to cut the metal with the use of the Jaws of Life.