Horror M1 crash leaves 1 dead
2008-12-28 22:46
Johannesburg - An accident on the M1 southbound in Johannesburg left one person dead and another three injured, said the city's metro police on Sunday.
At 02:00 a white Toyota Avante hit the curb dividing the M1 from the Empire Road offramp, crashed through a steel barrier and palisade fence and "flew over" an embankment before slamming into a tree next to an Engen petrol station, said Inspector Edna Mamonyane.
It was believed that speed was a factor in the accident.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman in a statement: "The vehicle sustained severe impact damage and one of the front wheels was ripped off and was stuck in the palisade fencing."
One of the occupants of the car died instantly, said Mamonyane. The driver sustained head injuries as well as a leg fracture. The other two passengers were also severely injured.
Metro police were unable to get statements from the crash victims as they were still in shock immediately following the accident. Mamonyane said a case of culpable homicide would be opened.
The area around Empire Road and the M1 had seen a spate of accidents in the past three years. At least 12 people were killed dozens more injured.
Seven people were killed on May 4 when a minibus taxi smashed into the same steel barrier as Sunday's accident. More recently on December 14, a truck carrying hundreds of litres of white paint overturned, resulting in the closure of the M1 north for several days.
- SAPA