A tragic multi-vehicle collision on the N3 highway west of Durban claimed the life of a woman and left several other motorists injured on Wednesday morning, prompting major road closures and traffic disruptions in the area.
The crash occurred between the Marianhill Toll Plaza and the Shongweni off-ramp, a busy stretch of road frequently used by commuters and freight transport vehicles travelling between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
According to preliminary reports from emergency responders, the accident began when a truck travelling in the direction of Durban allegedly lost control. The truck reportedly collided with another vehicle, causing it to overturn. The impact then triggered a chain-reaction crash involving several other vehicles on the highway.
Emergency services, including paramedics and traffic authorities, rushed to the scene to assist victims and manage the growing traffic congestion caused by the incident. Upon arrival, paramedics found extensive damage to multiple vehicles scattered across the roadway.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said emergency personnel immediately began assessing those involved in the crash. Sadly, one of the drivers, a woman believed to be in her 30s, had suffered severe injuries.
“Paramedics assessed the scene and found that one of the vehicle drivers, a female believed to be in her 30s, had sustained fatal injuries. There was nothing paramedics could do for her, and she was declared dead at the scene,” Jamieson explained.
In addition to the fatality, three other drivers sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate. One injured person required advanced life support treatment and was stabilised at the scene before being transported for further medical care. The remaining injured victims also received treatment from emergency personnel.
The collision caused significant disruption on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s busiest transport routes. Authorities implemented road closures in both directions to allow rescue teams, investigators and clean-up crews to work safely.
Jamieson confirmed that the Pietermaritzburg-bound carriageway of the N3 was closed because of a large spillage believed to be corn that had scattered across the roadway during the crash. The clean-up operation was expected to take several hours, while investigators worked to determine the exact circumstances that led to the accident.
Motorists were urged to avoid the affected section of the N3 and make use of alternative routes, particularly the M13, to minimise delays and congestion.
Traffic officials warned that road users should expect lengthy delays while emergency services continue with recovery operations and authorities conduct their investigation.
The cause of the truck losing control remains under investigation. Officials have not yet released the identities of those involved in the crash, and further details are expected once investigations have been completed.
The incident serves as another reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly on major highways where heavy vehicles and high traffic volumes can increase the risk of serious accidents.
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