Tragic Ekurhuleni Collision Claims Life of Six-Week-Old Infant Following Hospital Discharge on Wednesday

A 6-week-old infant died in a head-on collision in Ekurhuleni while returning from the hospital. 16 others were injured in the Bredell taxi crash.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TimesLIVE

A Fatal Encounter on Ninth Road

A devastating head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a double-cab bakkie resulted in the death of a six-week-old infant in Bredell, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred on 9th Road, involving a Toyota Quantum and a Nissan Hardbody. According to William Ntladi, a representative from the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, emergency teams were dispatched to the scene around noon following reports of the severe impact. Despite the scale of the crash, the newborn was the only person involved who did not survive the initial trauma.

A Heartbreaking Return from Medical Care

The circumstances surrounding the infant's death are particularly tragic as he was reportedly in transit following a medical visit. Mr. Ntladi confirmed that the baby was being held in his mother’s arms while she was seated directly behind the driver of the minibus taxi. The family was reportedly making their way back to their home in Thembisa after being discharged from a local hospital. The suddenness of the impact left the most vulnerable passenger with no chance of survival, marking a somber end to what was meant to be a routine trip home.

Casualties and Emergency Medical Response

While the infant was the only fatality, the collision left a trail of serious injuries among the sixteen survivors. Emergency responders reported that five individuals, including the drivers of both the Toyota Quantum and the Nissan Hardbody, sustained critical injuries during the crash. An additional eleven passengers suffered serious but stable injuries, necessitating a massive coordination of medical resources. Multiple ambulances were utilized to ferry the victims to various medical facilities across the City of Ekurhuleni for specialized treatment.