CCTV footage of the fatal crash on the N3 Durban-bound at Shongweni has surfaced online, showing the terrifying chain of events that led to the deaths of three people.
In the video, a bakkie can be seen travelling at relative speed in the fast lane, with another vehicle following closely behind. Moments later, the car behind overtakes on the left-hand side, squeezing past a vehicle in the centre lane. As it attempts to cut back into the fast lane, it clips the bakkie.
That single impact sends the bakkie violently out of control.
The vehicle veers across the centre median into oncoming traffic, slamming head-on into a truck travelling towards Durban. Both vehicles burst into flames on impact. The force of the collision causes the truck to jackknife, pushing it across the carriageway and onto the Pietermaritzburg-bound side, narrowly missing other vehicles.
According to earlier details released by the Road Traffic Inspectorate, three occupants of the bakkie lost their lives. Two were burnt beyond recognition after the vehicle caught fire, while a third occupant was ejected and declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Update: Three Lives Lost as Out-of-Control Bakkie Slams Into Truck on N3 Near Shongweni
The impact also had devastating consequences beyond the roadway. Concrete barriers were reportedly displaced into five construction workers from HWBHO who were on duty nearby. They were rushed to hospital with moderate to minor injuries.
The truck driver survived with minor scratches.
Officials described the incident as deeply unfortunate, particularly as it followed a reported decline in fatal crashes in the province. The Durban-bound lanes remained closed for hours while emergency services battled the flames and cleared the wreckage.
The footage is a brutal reminder of how one reckless move on a busy highway can trigger unimaginable tragedy in seconds.
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