Transport minister to visit N3 horror crash site

Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is expected to visit the scene of the multiple-vehicle crash that killed five people on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.

The Minister will also visit hospitals where the injured are receiving treatment and will interact with the affected families.

As the majority of travellers returned from their holidays and religious pilgrimages at the end of the Easter weekend, the N3 South and Northbound was temporarily closed due to the multiple vehicle crash and pile-up.

Authorities were forced to close the freeway between Hilton and Cedara, Johannesburg bound due to the crash. The N3 South was closed to provide emergency services access to the accident scene.

The Department of Transport on Monday said there was a thick mist and slight rainfall in the area of the accident.

“The preliminary investigations suggest that at least five people have lost their lives and scores sustained injuries during this horrific crash. This accident involves five trucks, eight minibus taxis and 22 light motor vehicles.”

Meanwhile, the RTMC issued the reminder as the majority of travellers returned from their holidays and religious pilgrimages at the end of the Easter weekend on Monday.

The corporation said law enforcement officers will continue to closely monitor traffic in an effort to deal with lawlessness and reduce the number of crashes.

“A total of 75 192 vehicles [were] stopped and checked at various points since the start of the holiday period and 699 motorists [were] arrested for various offences, including drunk driving, excessive speeding, producing false driving documentation, reckless driving and overloading.

“The highest speed was recorded in Lyttleton, Gauteng, where a motorist was nabbed while driving at 198km and hour in a 120km zone. A driver with the highest breath alcohol content was arrested on Hindle Road, Delft, in the West Cape, with a reading of 1.03mg per 1 000ml of breath. The legal breath alcohol limit in the country is less than 0.24mg in 1 000ml of breath,” the RTMC said.

KZN – N3 North (Latest): #CRASH multi-vehicle pile up north of the Hilton exit – ROAD CLOSED – NOTE: where possible delay arrival into the area – traffic conditions VERY HEAVY pic.twitter.com/CIYp58d73W

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) April 10, 2023

KZN – N11 Route: #TruckCrash DELAYS at Majuba pass pic.twitter.com/ppCEFySZgU

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) April 11, 2023

SAnews.gov.za