Video footage from a dashcam in one of the trucks hit by a runaway truck in the N3 pile-up accident just before the Mariannhill Toll Plaza has emerged on social media.
Four people died when their car was crashed by the truck which ploughed into several other vehicles.
From the video footage, it looks like the truck ploughed into traffic which was stacked at the toll gate.
The truck had two six-metre containers on its trailers.
Four people, all women, died after their car was crashed into by the truck as it went down the Mariannhill out of control.
According to paramedics on the scene the crash involved six vehicles and three trucks.
“One car was swept beneath a truck, and the car was completely messed up. Four occupants, all women, inside that car were declared dead on the scene.
“There are still more than 10 patients who are still being treated on scene,” said Herbst.
He added that the four who died are still stuck in the vehicle and emergency services are still trying to move the vehicle from beneath the truck.
Videos and images of the accident have surfaced on social media where emergency services are seen using jaws of life to free passengers trapped in the cars.
Road traffic Inspectorate (RTI) spokesperson Zinhle Mali said the N3 Durban northbound before Mariannhill Toll Plaza has been closed to traffic.
Hours after the accident, authorities are still at the scene collecting evidence and mopping up the scene.
SA Trucker urges truck drivers to drive cautiously in this vicinity as accidents continue to happen leading to people losing their lives and livelihoods for others.
Not long ago, another accident occurred in the same place in the circumstances where a truck driver ploughs into queueing traffic from the toll gate.
As taught during training, do not accelerate when going downhill but use the right gears and revs to keep the truck under control. Speeding in places like this one always ends in disaster if suddenly you find traffic at a standstill. Watch the dashcam footage here.
