A serious multi-vehicle crash has brought traffic to a standstill on the N3 just after the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, with both the northbound and Durban-bound carriageways heavily affected.
According to initial reports from the scene, a side tipper truck transporting maize lost control while descending towards Durban. The heavy vehicle reportedly crossed the centre median barrier and entered the northbound lanes, triggering a chain-reaction collision involving several light motor vehicles on both sides of the highway.
The truck first struck vehicles on the Durban-bound side after breaching the barrier, before continuing into the northbound carriageway where it collided with additional cars. The impact caused the truck to overturn, spilling its load of maize across multiple lanes and leaving debris scattered over a wide section of the freeway.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched, with multiple casualties reported. Paramedics from ALS Paramedics are currently on scene and attending to injured motorists. The exact number of patients and the severity of injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Traffic authorities have confirmed that the N3 northbound is completely closed in the affected stretch, while the Durban-bound lanes are also heavily congested due to an overturned vehicle and ongoing recovery operations. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes, as long delays are expected.
Recovery teams are working to clear the wreckage and remove the overturned truck, but the spilled maize and scattered debris are slowing down operations significantly. The scene remains active, with emergency personnel continuing to assess and stabilise the situation.
Authorities are expected to release further details once the scene has been fully secured and all injured parties have been accounted for. For now, the focus remains on patient care and restoring safe passage along one of KwaZulu-Natal’s busiest transport corridors.
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