GRAPHIC PICS: Taxi blaze kills one, injures many
One passenger was flown to hospital via helicopter, while the other two were transported via ambulance.
A female passenger was burnt beyond recognition this afternoon near the R554-Heidelberg Road after a minibus-taxi caught fire.
The blaze injured a number of other passengers.
Although the accident scene has been cleared on the N3 freeway, just before Grey Avenue going towards Alberton and Heidelberg, one lane is still closed to traffic.
Kevin Peel, the spokesperson for the National Paramedical Services, said three other passengers with serious injuries were taken to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for urgent medical attention.
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One passenger was flown to hospital via helicopter, while the other two were transported via ambulance.
Peel said a number of other patients were treated at the scene for minor to moderate skin burns.
It is believed that the wheel on the taxi came loose and while sliding on the axel the vehicle burst into flames.
Gumede Mokheseng, a spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), said the fire caused the petrol tank to explode.
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“EMPD officers had to close off the entire freeway to make space for the helicopter, but this has since been reopened. Officers are now directing traffic until the taxi has been removed from the scene,” said Mokheseng.
The RECORD is awaiting comment from the police.
