Nineteen hurt as taxi hits tree

Nineteen people were taken to hospital after a taxi crash in Cape Town on Friday morning, the city's metro rescue services said.

Only one taxi was involved, a staffer said.

The vehicle had apparently driven into a tree shortly before 9am near the newly-completed Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.

Those with minor injuries were treated at Green Point Hospital, and those with more serious injuries were taken to Somerset Hospital.

Rescuers had used the jaws of life to free the driver and one passenger from the wreck. - Sapa