The Eastern Cape Health Department says its emergency medical services (EMS) personnel had a busy festive season, responding to car accidents, trauma cases, drownings, and fire incidents - saving hundreds of lives in the process.
It says EMS responded to 16 153 calls in just 17 days in December.
The Department says between 15 and 31 December, personnel responded to 11 899 medical emergencies; 3 565 trauma cases (shootings, stabbings, shootings, and near drownings); 665 car accidents and 13 fire incidents.
It says of the medical emergencies attended to, 3 399 were patients in critical condition and 6 241 were serious injuries.
247 people lost their lives while there was one recorded maternal death.
455 road accidents were reported - the majority involving light motor vehicles - and 150 accidents involving pedestrians.
49 accidents involved buses and minibus taxis.
Eastern Cape MEC for Health Nomakhosazana Meth says many families were able to spend Christmas with their loved ones who were involved in accidents because of the life-saving efforts of EMS personnel.
