Two die in crash near Jhb

2003-08-16 18:58

Johannesburg - Two people were killed, two were critically injured and 13 people suffered minor injuries in a major smash on the M2 south of Johannesburg on Saturday, an emergency service spokesperson said.

Malcolm Midgley said it appeared that two youths were arguing in a car going south past the Eldorado Park off-ramp at about 17:45 and the passenger grabbed the steering wheel causing the car to swerve into the path of an oncoming taxi which in turn collided with a Mercedes Benz.

Two passengers in the taxi died at the scene and the driver was critically injured. Eleven other passengers had minor injuries.

Midgley said the Mercedes driver had to be cut out of the car with the "jaws of life" and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The two youths who allegedly caused the accident suffered only minor injuries.

Midgley said the injured were taken to the Chris Hani Baragwanath and Johannesburg hospitals and police have opened a reckless and negligent driving docket.

- SAPA