A truck driver has died after the heavy load he was transporting shifted forward and crushed the truck’s cab during a collision with a minibus taxi on the N12 westbound in Johannesburg.
The fatal crash happened on Thursday morning just after the Comaro Road offramp in the Bassonia and Gleneagles area, where emergency services and officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) responded to the scene.
According to JMPD, the collision involved a heavy-duty truck and a minibus taxi. The truck driver sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the taxi escaped without injuries, while no other injuries were reported.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the truck’s load shifted forward during the impact, collapsing onto the cab and fatally injuring the driver.
JMPD extended its condolences to the family of the deceased as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
The severity of the incident forced authorities to close three westbound lanes of the N12, leaving only one lane open to traffic while specialised recovery teams worked to remove the heavy load and recover the damaged truck.
The closure resulted in significant traffic congestion, with queues stretching back for several kilometres during the morning peak.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area where possible and use alternative routes including the R59, South Rand Road, Verona Street and Rifle Range Road.
Load Shift Remains a Serious Risk for Truck Drivers
Although the exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, the incident highlights one of the most dangerous hazards faced by truck drivers, a shifting load.
Even when a collision initially appears survivable, unsecured or unexpectedly moving cargo can dramatically increase the severity of the impact. In severe crashes, the momentum of a heavy load can force it through the front of a trailer or rigid body, placing the truck’s cab and driver at extreme risk.
Proper load restraint, correct weight distribution and regular load inspections remain critical safety measures for operators transporting heavy freight.
Authorities are expected to continue their investigation to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
Anyone travelling on the N12 westbound is advised to monitor traffic updates before setting out, as recovery operations may continue to affect traffic flow until the scene has been fully cleared.
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