A tragic accident on the N3 near Pietermaritzburg claimed the lives of a truck driver and a bus driver on Thursday night.
The collision occurred around 22h00 on the northbound carriageway, just before the Market Road off-ramp.
According to reports, a truck rear-ended a fully loaded passenger bus, forcing it into the back of another truck.
Garrith Jamieson of ALS Paramedics confirmed that emergency teams arrived to find the truck and bus engulfed in flames.
The Pietermaritzburg Fire Department battled the inferno while paramedics worked tirelessly to assist injured passengers.
“At this stage, it is believed both the bus driver and truck driver have passed away due to the severity of their injuries.”
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“Approximately 20 patients sustained various injuries and were treated on the scene before being transported to hospitals in Pietermaritzburg for further care,” said Jamieson.
The collision initially sparked fears of a multi-vehicle pileup, but emergency crews later confirmed that two trucks and the bus were involved in the fiery crash.
The N3 was closed as authorities worked to clear the scene and investigate the cause of the incident.
The events leading up to the accident remain unclear, and investigations are ongoing.
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