A major accident involving around 20 vehicles brought traffic on the N3 highway near Hammersdale, KwaZulu-Natal, to a complete standstill on Thursday morning. The crash, which occurred on the Pietermaritzburg-bound carriageway at Cliffdale, has left authorities scrambling to assess the full extent of the damage and possible casualties.
According to Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) spokesperson Sindi Msimang, emergency services rushed to the scene immediately after reports of the pile-up were received. However, the exact number of people injured has not yet been confirmed. “We don’t have the number of injured as yet. Both carriageways are currently closed, and emergency teams are still on site,” Msimang explained. She added that officials have not yet provided a timeline for when the highway will be reopened.
The massive pile-up has caused significant disruption for motorists traveling along one of the busiest routes in the province. The N3 highway serves as a key economic corridor, linking Durban and Pietermaritzburg with Gauteng, and is heavily used by freight trucks and daily commuters. The closure has forced motorists to seek alternative routes, leading to severe congestion in surrounding areas.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that his teams were among the first to respond to the accident scene. He reported that several people remain trapped in the wreckage of the crashed vehicles. “ALS Paramedics are on the scene and more units are mobile to assist with the rescue operation,” Jamieson said. The process of extricating trapped individuals is ongoing, with specialized rescue equipment being used.
Authorities are urging road users to avoid the N3 near Hammersdale and to exercise patience as traffic diversions are implemented. Motorists have been advised to make use of alternative routes until the accident scene has been cleared and the road declared safe for use.
This incident comes just days after several other tragic accidents were reported across South Africa’s roads, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety. Earlier this week, six people lost their lives in a devastating crash on the R550 in Ekurhuleni after a Mazda sedan overturned and plunged into the Zonkizizwe River. In another separate incident, 13 people were injured in a taxi accident in Durban, raising alarm over the frequency of serious road crashes.
The N3 accident serves as another grim reminder of the dangers faced daily by road users, particularly along high-traffic routes. With multiple vehicles involved and people trapped in wreckage, emergency services face a complex and time-consuming operation to ensure the safety of survivors and clear the road.
As the investigation continues, the cause of the pile-up remains unclear. Weather conditions, driver error, or heavy traffic could all be contributing factors, but officials have yet to confirm any details.
For now, the priority remains rescuing those injured, stabilizing the situation, and reopening the N3 highway as soon as possible. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant on the roads and to exercise caution during peak travel times.
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