ALS Paramedics Medical Services has warned that paramedics are finding it difficult to get to the Bluff and Harbour areas owing to several trucks deliberately parked in the middle of access roads.
“Trucks are blocking all access to Bluff and the Harbour. ALS Paramedics are finding it extremely difficult to respond to emergencies in the Bluff and Harbour area since Monday,” said Garrith Jamieson Director, ALS Paramedics Medical Services.
Jamieson said the trucks were “stacked all the way” around the port, and this is causing major traffic jams.
All entries towards the bluff are obstructed by trucks occupying all the available lanes.
Traffic SA said the high number of trucks from across the border and those bringing coal to the Port of Durban were to blame for the congestion.
“This morning ALS Paramedics battled to get to a scene where a security official was injured in a shooting scene,” Jamieson said Wednesday.
“Paramedics responding to the incident had to drive into oncoming traffic to try and get to the scene. This places our staff, as well as all road users, at risk of injury.”
The following routes are severely affected:
Umbilo Arterial Both directions from Bayhead Road to M7
Sydney Road from Moore Road
Bayhead Road from Umbilo Road
Maydon Road from Moore Road (onramp to M4 Southern freeway jammed closed)
M7 Edwin Swales from Wakesleigh Road to Bluff Road
Umbilo Road from M7 to Rick Turner Road Numerous calls have been made to authorities who are trying to assist.
“We encourage a resolution as peoples lives are at risk if paramedics can’t get to them in time,” Jamieson said.
