Two men died in the early hours of Monday in a collision involving three trucks and seven vehicles on the N12 in Bedfordview, Ekurhuleni.
The section of the highway remained closed on Monday afternoon as emergency services worked to clear the scene.
Disaster and Emergency Management Services firefighters responded to a call around 12:20. William Ntladi, the media liaison officer for the City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Services, reported that two articulated trucks, a fixed bar truck, and seven light motor vehicles were involved in the crash.
The drivers of a truck and an SUV were declared dead at the scene. “The Jaws of Life had to be used to extricate the truck driver, while seven other occupants from all vehicles were medically treated before being transported to various hospitals around the City of Ekurhuleni,” said Ntladi.
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According to Ntladi, the N12 was closed because the trucks had jack-knifed, causing chemical spills on the road.
“The entire freeway is temporarily closed, and the cause of the crash is unknown. The law enforcement unit on scene is busy with investigations,” he added.
“The scene is still unfolding as rescue and traffic officers are busy with accident rehabilitation,” Ntladi said.
Video footage from the scene shows the road completely blocked by the overturned truck and its spilled steel load.
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes as the authorities work to reopen the highway and restore normal traffic flow.
