Freeway fatalities: Man and woman struck by heavy truck while crossing R21 in Ekurhuleni
Two adult pedestrians, a man and a woman, were fatally knocked down while attempting to cross the R21 freeway southbound in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The horrific incident happened just before the Highveld Engen One Stop, outside Tembisa, according to Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi.
“City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services rescue team received the call exactly at 2:14 pm on Friday, and responded swiftly to the scene for intervention,” he said.
“On arrival, an articulated truck was found to have been the one involved, and there were two motionless bodies lying on the left edge — the emergency lane of the freeway.”
One of the two pedestrians was under the truck, while the other was on the pavement.
Following the incident, two road lanes were temporarily closed to traffic to allow Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officials to conduct investigations.
“The City of Ekurhuleni urges pedestrians to stay away from freeways. By law, no pedestrians, cyclists, and smaller motorcycles — 200 CC and below — are allowed to be on the freeway,” said Ntladi.
Last week, IOL reported that a pedestrian tragically lost his life on the N17 in Wadeville, Ekurhuleni, after he was struck by a light motor vehicle.
The man, who had not been identified, was said to have been crossing the freeway when he was hit by the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene.
At the time, Ntladi said that the incident happened at around 7 am on Friday. Traffic was severely affected.
Unfortunately, two other vehicles were involved in a minor crash while trying to avoid the initial crash.
“The driver of the initial pedestrian crash escaped with minor injuries and was transported by the Gauteng provincial government ambulance services to a medical facility for further care. The occupants of the second crash had no injuries,” said Ntladi.
IOL also reported that in South Africa, crossing the freeway is not only a dangerous act, but according to the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, it is also illegal and can lead to an arrest.
Pedestrians are not allowed to walk or even cross the freeway, yet jaywalking remains one of the most contributing human factors of pedestrian fatalities.
Arrive Alive shows that approximately 35-40% deaths in South Africa are pedestrian deaths. Road users are advised to comply with the road act and to not find themselves on the other side of the law.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News