Video: 17 injured as fully loaded truck smashes into vehicles on N3 highway, South Africa
Severe crash on the N3 leaves 17 injured as a truck collides with multiple vehicles; emergency teams respond. Credit IOL
A dramatic multi-vehicle collision on the N3 near Peacevale left seventeen people injured on Thursday morning, some critically, after a fully loaded truck lost control and ploughed into cars and other trucks.
The crash occurred shortly after 7:30 am on the Pietermaritzburg-bound side of the highway, according to ALS Paramedics. Emergency teams described the scene as one of “chaos and carnage,” with around 15 vehicles involved.
Paramedics, together with multiple ambulances, quickly established a triage area to manage the large number of casualties. One man was trapped in his vehicle, requiring the Ethekweni Fire Department and the Redline Response Rescue team to use the Jaws of Life to free him. Several victims sustained injuries ranging from moderate to critical, with some airlifted to Durban hospitals via the Netcare911 Aeromedical Helicopter.
The crash caused severe traffic disruption on the N3, with the freeway closed for several hours while authorities cleared the wreckage and managed the emergency response. SAPS and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) are investigating the cause of the incident.
Transport authorities confirmed that a Zambian truck driver, allegedly responsible for the accident, was arrested after attempting to flee the scene. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, praised the swift action of the Road Traffic Inspectorate and stated that the driver would face prosecution.
“No fatalities have been reported, and we are grateful that all those injured are receiving medical care,” said Duma. He emphasised the department’s ongoing commitment to road safety and stricter enforcement against reckless drivers.
The incident comes amid efforts to ease road congestion by shifting freight from road to rail, with six new Train Operating Companies set to handle additional cargo along the north corridor. Duma highlighted that these initiatives could help reduce truck traffic on major highways and prevent future accidents.