Watch: Driver Flees Scene After Runaway Truck Kills One on N10 in Cradock

A fatal crash on the N10 near Cradock has once again highlighted the dangers of heavy vehicles losing control on busy routes.

One person was killed after a side tipper truck reportedly lost control while travelling on the N10 entering Cradock on Monday afternoon.

According to information from the scene, the truck driver encountered other trucks ahead of him and took evasive action. In the process, the truck crossed into the oncoming lane.

Tragically, there were light vehicles travelling in that lane at the time. The side tipper bulldozed one car pushing it aside and collided with another car head on, causing it to flip violently. One occupant from the car was killed on impact.

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A bakkie travelling behind the car narrowly avoided the same fate after the driver reacted quickly and reversed out of danger as the out of control truck rolled past.

Witnesses say that once the dust settled, a man was seen lying lifeless next to the wreckage of the car, while the damaged side tipper came to a stop further down the road.

CCTV footage from nearby premises has since surfaced, capturing the horrifying moments leading up to the crash. The videos reportedly show the truck rolling slowly down the road, unable to stop, before passing under an overpass bridge and smashing into the oncoming vehicle.

The footage has left many viewers shaken, with the sheer size of the truck making the outcome almost inevitable.

In a concerning development, it is reported that the truck driver disappeared from the scene after the crash. Authorities are investigating the circumstances around his disappearance, as well as the cause of the loss of control.

It is not yet clear whether brake failure, mechanical issues or driver error played a role.

Read | Witness Describes Horrific Moments Leading to Fatal Cradock Crash

Emergency services attended the scene, and the road experienced delays while the wreckage was cleared and investigations began.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder to truck operators and drivers alike that vehicle condition, load management and speed control are critical, especially when approaching towns and interchanges where traffic is mixed and unforgiving.