Driver injured after vehicle falls into trench on busy Joburg road near cemetery

A motorist was injured on Friday night in Johannesburg when he drove into an open trench allegedly left by Johannesburg Water in Roosevelt Park. The incident occurred on Beyers Naudé Drive near Judith Road, next to West Park Cemetery as reported by the Time Live.

According to Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for the metro police, officers arrived at the scene and discovered that the male driver had already been taken to Milpark Hospital by paramedics. It was reported that the driver had sustained slight injuries. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but it is believed that the driver was travelling westbound on Beyers Naudé Drive when the vehicle landed in the trench left open by Johannesburg Water.

Some witnesses to the accident reported that the road was dark due to load-shedding, with no signs indicating the presence of the trench. However, Johannesburg Water has disputed this claim, stating on social media that their team had carried out work earlier that day and left the area marked and barricaded.

In a tweet, Johannesburg Water explained that the work had been completed at 3 pm, and the trench had been left barricaded with road signs, a safety net, and a sign instructing motorists to keep left. Backfilling was scheduled to take place after the work was completed.

Motorists who frequently use the road reported that the trench had been there for some time. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of motorists in the area, particularly at night when visibility may be limited. Johannesburg Water has assured the public that they will investigate the incident and take necessary steps to prevent similar accidents.

Photo by Ashil Nolan on Unsplash