Truck crash: seven hurt, one critical

SIX people were seriously injured and another airlifted to Livingstone Hospital in a critical condition after a truck carrying bricks swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a car stopped on the side of the N2 near Grahamstown.

The accident took place about 40km from Grahamstown at about noon yesterday.

Police said the truck collided with a Toyota Avanza which was taking six passengers to Grahamstown.

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said the truck was heading towards Port Elizabeth when it swerved to avoid colliding with a car which had broken down on the roadside.

"From what we can ascertain, the vehicle had pulled into the yellow barriers after breaking down. The truck swerved out. The Avanza was approaching and collided with the vehicle.

"The six passengers, among them an eight-year-old child, were seriously injured and taken to hospital in Grahamstown in a stable condition.

"The driver, however, was airlifted [by] helicopter to Livingstone Hospital as he was in a critical condition."

The truck driver and his passenger were unharmed.

Govender said a case of reckless and negligent driving was being investigated. If further details emerged, the investigation could be changed. – Gareth Wilson