Harrismith – Tragedy struck on the N3 near Balmoral on Friday night when a head-on collision between a truck and a light vehicle claimed five lives.
The crash occurred around 20h00, bringing traffic to a standstill on the busy route to Harrismith. Emergency services declared four passengers from the light vehicle and the truck driver dead at the scene.
One passenger from the light vehicle survived with minor injuries and was treated on-site before being transported to a nearby hospital.
Sipho Towa, Free State Provincial EMS Manager, confirmed that recovery operations were underway throughout the night. “Our teams are still investigating the cause of the accident, which remains unclear at this stage,” Towa said.
Read | N3 closed at Harrismith following fatal truck and bakkie crash
By 07h00 Saturday morning, the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) reported that the accident scene had been cleared. However, traffic in both directions was still heavily congested due to the overnight backlog.
06h53 07/12 #N3CrashUpdate: N3-7X-50.8 S #DbnBound between Warden and Harrismith. 3 Cars and 1 truck involved. All lanes opened. Recovery is in progress off the road. Please approach the area with caution. 01890 (13)
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) December 7, 2024
Motorists using the route were urged to remain patient as efforts continued to normalise traffic flow.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected.
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