A truck driver narrowly escaped a fatal incident on the N3 northbound between Ashburton and Pietermaritzburg this afternoon when a steel coil he was transporting came loose.
The accident occurred around 14h00, and the driver allegedly noticed the heavy coil rolling towards the cab.
In a desperate attempt to avoid being crushed, he swerved, narrowly escaping direct impact.
The coil smashed through the trailer’s headboard and hit the left-hand side of the cab, causing significant damage.
Steel coil accidents are notorious for their devastating outcomes, and the driver’s survival with only minor injuries has been described as nothing short of miraculous.
Mi7 National Group’s Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, where medics found the truck lodged against the centre median.
“The driver was treated for minor injuries on-site,” stated Mi7 EMS.
This is the second truck accident in the area in two days.
Read | Second Blow for Trucking Company as Ashburton Crash Trailer Burns on N3 Near Hilton
Yesterday, Monday 25 November, another crash involved two trucks in a rear-end collision.
The N3 was closed for several hours as recovery crews worked to clear the scene.
In the latest crash, by 15h00, a recovery truck had begun removing the wreckage, but traffic delays were expected to persist into the late afternoon.
Motorists are advised to exercise patience and caution as authorities continue investigating the cause of the accident.
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