Durban - Five soldiers were injured when a SA National Defence Force personnel carrier overturned in Ladysmith on Monday.
"The personnel carrier, a Samil 20, was travelling back from Boschhoek training area to 5 SAI for replenishments," said SANDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Mafi Mgobozi.
He said the five sustained minor to critical injured and were treated at the scene before being transferred to two hospitals in Ladysmith for further care.
It is alleged that some of the injured were trapped in the mangled wreckage and had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life.
Mgobozi said no fatalities were reported.
"An investigation will be launched to look into circumstances that led to the unfortunate accident," he added.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla, the Secretary for Defence, Amb. Sonto Kudjoe, and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, extended their best wishes to the injured.
The accident comes weeks after a person was killed and two more injured when a SANDF truck crashed into a second vehicle on the N3. Paramedics on the scene from Emer-G-Med said in a statement that upon arrival they found the two heavy motor vehicles had collided on high impact before going off the motorway and down an embankment.
IOL reported that the incident occurred on the N3 South to Durban at the infamous S-bends between Harrismith and Montrose. The driver and passenger of the SANDF truck were treated and stabilised on the scene and taken to Thebe Hospital before being transferred to Busamed Private Hospital in Free State.
Makhele said the driver of the private vehicle, carrying cement, died instantly after being crushed by the load of cement.
IOL