A woman has died and several other motorists were injured following a multi-vehicle collision on the N3 between the Marianhill Toll Plaza and the Shongweni off-ramp, west of Durban.
According to initial reports, a truck travelling towards Durban allegedly lost control before crashing into a vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn and led to a chain-reaction collision involving several other vehicles.
Emergency services responded to the scene, while authorities urged motorists to avoid the affected section of the highway and make use of alternative routes.
Fatality Confirmed After N3 Chain-Reaction Collision
Private ambulance service spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said paramedics discovered that one of the drivers had suffered fatal injuries.
“Paramedics assessed the scene and found, unfortunately, one of the vehicle drivers, a female believed to be in her 30s, had sustained fatal injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do for her.
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“She was declared dead at the scene. Three other drivers had sustained minor to moderate injuries and one stabilised on scene by advanced life support paramedics,” Jamieson said.
The injured motorists received treatment at the scene before further medical care arrangements were made.
N3 Road Closures And Spill Cause Major Traffic Disruption in Durban
Jamieson confirmed that road closures had been implemented in both directions as emergency personnel and investigators continued their work.
“The N3 Pietermaritzburg-bound is closed due to a spillage of what is believed to be corn and will be for quite some time to allow investigators to probe and the clean-up operation to continue on the Durban-bound carriageway,” Jamieson said.
Motorists travelling through the area have been advised to use the M13 as an alternative route while the clean-up operation and investigation continue.
