Tower Down - 09.01.23 (SA) "Updated 10.31.23"

[TowForce]

Police officer, tow truck operator die after truck ploughs into accident scene in Pietermaritzburg (SA)

 

A police officer and tow truck operator were killed when a truck ploughed into them at an accident scene on the N3 Durban-bound near Liberty Mall, Pietermaritzburg, on Friday night. 

 

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said when they arrived on the first scene, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and paramedics found that a truck had overturned and landed on its side. 

 

"RTI traffic police cornered off the area and placed vehicles strategically to provide advanced warning of the accident scene [while] ALS paramedics staff were attending to the driver, who had sustained minor injuries," said Jamieson. 

 

He said a truck ploughed into the accident scene while teams were attending to the driver.

 

Jamieson said:

 

He said the police officer and the tow operator died on the scene as a result of their injuries.

 

"Our medic was in a critical condition and rushed through to hospital for the specialist care he required [and] underwent emergency surgery shortly thereafter."

 

ALS has sent condolences to the deceased's family, friends and colleagues.

 

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said the RTI was doing pre-warning when the secondary accident happened. 

 

He confirmed that two people died on the scene. 

 

Attempts to reach the police for comment were unsuccessful. Comment will be added if received.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

Families speak out after horror crash on the N3

 

Two lives were lost in an accident on the N3 Durbanbound lane near Liberty Midlands Mall on Friday night.

 

Kavish Ramnarayan and RTI inspector Zithulele Ntshangase. Photos: Supplied

 

Loved ones paid tribute to two dedicated individuals who tragically lost their lives in an accident on the N3 Durban-bound lane near Liberty Midlands Mall on Friday night.

 

Zithulele Ntshangase, the principal provincial inspector from Nkwezela, Bulwer, and Kavish Ramnarayan (32) a tow truck operator from Mr Towing, were responding to an initial accident on Friday evening at around 9pm when disaster struck.

 

It all started when a tanker truck overturned due to brake failure, prompting the response of ALS Paramedics and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI).

 

A traffic officer and tow truck operator were killed in a truck accident on the N3 in Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Supplied

 

While emergency personnel were at the scene providing pre-warning assistance for the overturned truck, another truck crashed and overturned, colliding with the responders.

 

Ramnarayan and Ntshangase were killed and a paramedic from ALS Paramedics was critically injured.

 

Zinhle Mngomezulu-Mali, KZN’s RTI spokesperson, said Ntshangase was stationed at Ixopo but he had been appointed to do a third shift in Pietermaritzburg, which ensures that there is police visibility 24 hours especially at the construction site next to where the accident happened.

 

Neliswa Ngubane, Ntshangase’s niece said her uncle was everything to them.

 

She added that they will always remember his jokes.

 

Mark Ramnarayan, Kavish’s brother told The Witness that he started working with his brother in the tow truck industry when he was only 13 years old.

 

He then moved to heavy duty towing but eventually came back to the family business.

 

Mark also highlighted Kavish’s heroic act of saving a child from a burning taxi during a previous accident on Townhill.

 

“I spoke to him a few seconds before the accident. He was saving lives on the road 24/7 and helping people. He was a warm person but straightforward; even children loved him. Some people even preferred to speak to him even though I am the older one.

 

“We used to be together every day and there is no day that passed that we were not together. We grew up together, worked together and went on holidays together. It will never be the same without him,” said an emotional Ramnarayan.

 

Garrith Jamieson from ALS Paramedics said their medic who was injured at the scene is still in a critical condition and doctors are busy with him.

 

Mngomezulu-Mali said that at around 9 pm, a tanker truck crashed and fell on its side after its brakes allegedly failed.

 

She said the scene of the first accident had already been secured and pre-warning cones were placed on the road.

 

“The traffic officers were letting in a Durban police vehicle when the truck crashed into the scene. The police vehicle was also damaged a little,” she said.

Police did not comment on investigations and arrests at the time of publication.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

Case against truck driver who crashed into traffic cop, tow truck driver postponed

 

Ndumiso Dzanibe (24) is facing two charges of culpable homicide, reckless driving, exceeding

the speed limit and failing to perform the duties of a driver after an accident.

 

The case against a truck driver who crashed into an accident scene, which claimed the lives of a traffic officer and a tow truck driver has been remanded to December 1.

 

Ndumiso Petros Dzanibe (24), from Bhekani Road in Chesterville, Durban, appeared at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

 

Dzanibe is facing two charges of culpable homicide, reckless driving, exceeding the speed limit and failing to perform the duties of a driver after an accident.

 

It is alleged that on that night, Dzanibe was driving a blue and white Volvo truck and negligently caused or contributed towards an accident that claimed the life of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer Zithulele Ntshangase and tow truck operator Kavish Ramnarayan.

 

The accident took place on the N3 highway next to Liberty Mall on September 1.

 

Ntshangase, the principal provincial inspector from Nkwezela, Bulwer, and Ramnarayan (32) from Mr Towing, were responding to an initial accident on Friday evening at around 9 pm when disaster struck.

 

It all started when a tanker truck overturned due to brake failure, prompting the response of ALS Paramedics and the Road Traffic Inspectorate.

 

 

While emergency personnel were at the scene providing pre-warning assistance for the overturned truck, another truck crashed and overturned, colliding with the responders.

 

Dzanibe’s case was remanded to December 1 for regional court queries to be addressed. He will remain in custody after he abandoned the right to apply for bail.

 

RESOURCE LINK