A tragic accident on the N3 northbound to Pietermaritzburg, just before the Shongweni off-ramp, claimed the lives of five people and left 13 others injured on Friday evening. The crash, which occurred just after 5:00 PM, saw a taxi collide with another vehicle before losing control and plunging down a steep embankment.
The vehicle fell approximately 50 to 70 meters down a cliff, resulting in catastrophic damage. Emergency services, including ALS paramedics, responded swiftly to the scene.
“We can confirm that five people have tragically lost their lives in this incident. A further 13 individuals have sustained various injuries,” said, Garrith Jamieson spokesperson for ALS paramedics. The injured passengers, some in serious condition, were rushed to hospitals around Durban for urgent medical treatment.
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The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but early reports suggest that the collision with another vehicle may have contributed to the taxi’s loss of control.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area as recovery operations continue, with significant traffic delays expected. The N3 northbound remains partially blocked, further complicating access for other vehicles.
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