A devastating early-morning crash on the N1 North before the Rigel Avenue off-ramp in Pretoria claimed one life and left eight others injured on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
According to emergency service officials, the accident occurred around 06:30 when a car collided with the side of a truck, resulting in a chaotic and tragic scene. Accident Management Liaison, Dean Slater, confirmed that nine people were involved in the collision — one of whom died at the scene.
Scene of devastation
Slater described the impact as “severe,” explaining that the car’s roof was torn open as it rolled over. The force of the crash caused several occupants to be ejected from the vehicle.
“The vehicle hit the side of the truck, which caused the roof to open as it rolled. Multiple patients were thrown from the car onto the side of the road,” said Slater.
When emergency responders arrived, they found debris scattered across the highway, and several passengers were lying along the roadside. Despite the extensive wreckage, the truck driver escaped unharmed.
Fatality and injuries
Tragically, a female passenger was pronounced dead on the scene after being ejected from the car. Slater said six other people sustained critical injuries, one was moderately injured, and another suffered minor injuries.
“All the injured patients were stabilised on the scene and transported to various medical facilities under advanced life support care for further treatment,” he confirmed.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending family notification.
Emergency response and investigation
Traffic on the N1 North was severely affected as rescue teams and paramedics worked to clear the wreckage and assist the injured. Police and accident reconstruction experts were also on-site to investigate the cause of the crash.
While the exact circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation, officials suspect that driver error or fatigue could have played a role.
“Given the time of the crash and the manner of impact, investigators are looking into all possible causes, including speed, visibility, and road conditions,” a police spokesperson said.
The scene was cleared several hours later, but authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly during early-morning travel when fatigue and reduced visibility often increase accident risks.
Community shock and road safety warning
The fatal crash has once again highlighted the high number of serious accidents along Pretoria’s major highways. Local residents and social media users expressed condolences to the victims’ families while calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws.
Road safety advocates have reminded drivers to remain vigilant and always wear seatbelts, as several victims were reportedly ejected from the vehicle due to not being restrained.
Emergency services continue to urge the public to report reckless driving and adhere to speed limits to prevent further loss of life on South African roads.
Authorities are appealing to anyone with additional information about the crash to contact the Pretoria Rekord newsroom or local law enforcement.
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