Diplomat killed in Pta crash

2007-10-27 13:39

Johannesburg - An unidentified diplomat was killed in a car crash in the Pretoria CBD early on Saturday morning, paramedics said.

The diplomat, in his 40s, travelling in a white Honda SUV and a BMW collided on the corners of Hilda and Schoeman Streets around midnight, said ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak.

The man was trapped in his car and had to be extracted using hydraulic rescue equipment.

"Shortly after the man was rescued from the wreck, he lost his pulse."

Paramedics tried for over 45 minutes to resuscitate him.

"Due to extensive injuries he was declared dead on the scene. On scene it was confirmed that the man is a diplomat from an unknown country, but no next-of-kin details could be located."

A middle-aged couple in the BMW sustained serious injures and was taken to the Pretoria Academic Hospital.

Wedged against a tree

The force of the impact hurled the BMW halfway through the palisade fence of a nearby building. The Honda was found wedged against a tree.

According to spokesperson for Life Med EMS Trevor Kolk: "Witnesses said the BMW came from behind and collided with the back end of the Honda.

"The Honda lost control and spun into a wall. The BMW skidded over the pavement and collided into a palisade gate about 70 to 80 metres away."

In another Pretoria accident, a teenager was killed and two people were in a serious condition when their bakkie overturned and crashed into a tree on Mansfield Road around 23:30 on Friday.

Kolk said a 16-year-old male youth died in the accident. An 11-year-old boy and 23-year-old man also suffered serious injuries.

According to witnesses on the scene the bakkie had been speeding at the time. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, he said.

- SAPA