A head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the N3 highway in the Free State has claimed eight lives, turning a key national route into a scene of tragedy and investigation during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The horrific accident occurred around 5 AM on the stretch of road between Van Reenen’s Pass and Montrose, a critical and often treacherous link between Johannesburg and Durban.
A Scene of Devastation
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Loraine Earle, confirmed the multiple fatalities, stating that the scene remained active hours after the crash as emergency services worked to manage the aftermath. “What we can say at this stage is that there are multiple fatalities. Indications are that there are around eight fatalities but we will confirm the actual number in due course,” Captain Earle told IOL.
The impact of the collision was so severe that paramedics and rescue teams worked for several hours to extricate trapped passengers from the mangled wreckage. Those who were injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
Major Traffic Disruptions
The crash has caused significant traffic disruptions along the busy N3 corridor. Sindi Msimang, speaking on behalf of the Road Traffic Inspectorate, confirmed the partial closure of the highway and urged motorists to exercise extreme caution.
“The N3 remains partially closed as recovery operations continue. Motorists are urged to approach the area with caution or use alternative routes,” Msimang stated in an interview with SABC News.
The resulting congestion has stretched for kilometers, with traffic officials diverting vehicles onto alternate routes to ease the gridlock.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragedy. While the circumstances are still being pieced together, early reports point to a head-on collision between the minibus taxi and the heavy-duty truck.
Investigators will be looking at several possible contributing factors, including speed, driver fatigue, and early morning visibility conditions on the mountainous pass.
As the recovery operations continue and the investigation begins, the incident serves as a devastating reminder of the fragility of life on South Africa’s roads. The names of the deceased have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
