A devastating multi-vehicle accident on the N2 Northbound near NPC in Durban has claimed the lives of two people and left several others seriously injured. The horrific crash occurred at around 4 PM on Sunday afternoon, involving at least five vehicles.
ALS Paramedics Medical Services responded swiftly to the scene, which was described as “total carnage.” According to paramedics, two of the vehicles involved in the collision lost control and overturned several times. The violent motion of the crash ejected multiple passengers from the vehicles—many of them children—onto the busy highway.
Emergency personnel quickly established a triage area to assess and prioritize the injured. Due to the severity of the situation, additional ambulances and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics were urgently requested.
Preliminary reports indicate that approximately ten individuals sustained injuries ranging from serious to critical. ALS teams provided immediate treatment at the scene before transporting the injured to nearby Durban hospitals for further care.
Among the most critically injured was a six-year-old child who was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Tragically, despite the valiant efforts of doctors and ALS paramedics to save him, the child went into cardiac arrest and later died in hospital.
Another victim, a man believed to be in his fifties, also suffered severe injuries. He went into cardiac arrest at the scene, and although paramedics attempted resuscitation, he was declared dead shortly after.
Other victims of the crash were transported to various hospitals across Durban for urgent medical attention. The exact number of total injuries has not been confirmed, but authorities report multiple patients receiving emergency care.
At this point, the cause of the crash remains unknown. The South African Police Service (SAPS) was present at the scene and has launched an investigation to determine the events that led to the tragic accident.
The N2 highway, one of the busiest roads in the country, was partially closed for several hours as emergency services worked to assist the injured and clear the wreckage. Traffic was heavily impacted, with authorities urging drivers to seek alternative routes.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers of high-speed travel and the need for increased vigilance on national highways. Authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation.
Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and those injured in this heartbreaking incident.