A member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF) was trapped for about an hour under debris after the truck he was driving crashed into a garage, which then collapsed on top of him.
The accident occurred yesterday afternoon at Eteteni in Matsapha.
Eyewitnesses shared that the truck driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was travelling from the Lozitha direction towards Manzini when the accident happened. The driver reportedly lost control of the truck while attempting to avoid an accident along the MR3 public road.
In the process, the truck veered off the road and crashed into a business structure, causing it to collapse. As a result, the soldier was trapped under the rubble.
Two female tenants who were inside the building at the time were also reportedly injured during the incident.
Members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) were called to the scene. They successfully retrieved the three injured individuals, who were then rushed to hospital by paramedics.
ENFRES Public Relations Officer Mandla Dlamini confirmed the incident and stated that three people were injured — the two tenants and the truck driver (a soldier).
“The truck driver was trapped under the building for approximately 40 to 50 minutes,” he said.
UEDF Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo also confirmed the accident. She stated that the soldier, who sustained minor injuries, was alone in the truck at the time.
“He is currently admitted in hospital,” she said.
Khumalo further explained that the soldier was travelling from Mdzimba Barracks to Garrison Army Barracks in Matsapha when the accident occurred.
Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO) Senior Superintendent Phindile also confirmed the incident.
