Aerial view of the crash scene. Photo by SM Towing Services
The N2 highway remains closed between Pongola and Piet Retief following a three-truck collision last night. Two tanker trucks transporting acid were involved in an accident with a side tipper truck transporting coal at around 23h00 on Tuesday night.
Mkhondo Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that the tanker trucks spilt sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid on the road upon collision.
Two of the trucks burst into flames upon impact.
Unfortunately, one truck driver was killed in the collision while one sustained severe injuries and the other one sustained minor injuries.
Traffic is still stuck on the crash scene.
“The exact location of the fatal crash is between Belgrade and Sulphur Springs just south of where the N2 runs parallel with the Swaziland border,” Mkhondo Fire said.
At 09h36, a Mkhondo Fire spokesperson told SA Trucker that clean-up teams had arrived at the scene. He said the mop-up operation is expected to last for at least 7 hours.
“The clean-up will take a while as the acid have to be transferred to other tankers and then the road will be cleaned up,” he said.
Read also: N2 closed between Pongola and Piet Retief after 2 acid tankers collide with a side tipper truck
Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes as the road will be closed for the greater part of the day.
Pongola to Piet Retief alternative route
1. Northbound from Pongola:
Take the R66 towards Magudu and then the R69 towards Louwsberg/Vryheid.
From Vryheid take the Natal Spa road to Paulpietersburg.
Alternatively, the R33 towards Paulpietersburg. (Take note of Potholes in the vicinity of the Penvaan area (from the Penvaan / Pine Cone turn-off toPenbi Game Ranch) and some very nasty potholes north of the Bivane River (near NCT Longridge turn-off)
Continue on the R33 towards Commondale/Piet Retief where you join up on the N2 again just south of Piet Retief.
Alternatively, Empangeni, Nkwalini, Ulundi, Melmoth, Vryheid, Paulpietersburg, Piet Retief.
N2 Southbound alternative route
If already on the N2, depending on where you are, use the Moolman or Commondale turn offs to reach the R33 towards Paulpietersburg.
If leaving Piet Retief take the R33 towards Paulpietersburg just South of Piet Retief and follow above-mentioned options from Vryheid in reverse.
Motorosts have been warned to expect an influx of heavy duty trucks on these routes today which will lead to longer travelling times than normal. Please be patient and drive carefully.
Watch the video of the scene here.
