A KwaZulu Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer was injured while performing pre-warning duties at an accident scene on the N3 southbound at Tweedie on Thursday morning.
Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson said paramedics and RTI were on the scene attending to a truck crash when the officer was injured in a secondary collision.
In the first accident, a truck towing a tautliner lost control and crashed through the barrier ending up on the northbound lanes.
“The RTI vehicle and officer were providing a pre-warning on the N3 for motorists to know that an accident had occurred and that they should exercise caution when approaching,” said Robertson.
“A car came and hit the vehicle from behind,” he added.
The RTI officer sustained serious injuries and required urgent advanced life support treatment, while the other driver sustained moderate injuries. Both were treated on the scene before being taken to hospital.
Robertson noted that the accident could have injured many more as officers were in front of the RTI vehicle, clearing the road.
“We urge the public to take precautions when approaching accidents and to be vigilant of emergency vehicles on the scene of emergencies,” he said.
A video of the crash scene was shared on SA Trucker App.
Earlier this month, on June 13, another RTI officer, Ntombenhle Madlala (50), was injured after a truck rammed into her car while she was tending to a truck breakdown on the N3, between Mkondeni and Ashburton in KZN.
Madlala was in the vehicle and had to be rushed to hospital for her injuries.