A truck driver has been killed after two heavy vehicles collided on the R74 at Oliviershoek Pass on Thursday morning. The crash happened just after sunrise on 13 November and left the road blocked as emergency services rushed to the scene.
According to paramedics, one driver sadly died from his injuries while the other escaped with only minor injuries. The damaged rigs came to a stop across part of the roadway, making it difficult for traffic to flow through the pass. Fellow truckers who were in the area described the scene as a mess, with debris scattered across the road and recovery teams working carefully around the wrecks.
Okhahlamba Fire and Rescue were the first responders on scene and immediately began assisting other emergency officials with fire suppression, patient assessment and clearing the roadway. More teams from local EMS and law enforcement later joined in to manage the scene and redirect traffic where possible.
Motorists using the R74 are urged to drive with caution, especially through Oliviershoek Pass which can be tricky even on a normal day. With recovery vehicles and emergency personnel still operating at the crash site, delays are expected until the wrecks are fully removed and the road is safe again.
Read | Trucks Stranded on N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass as the Road has Become Too Slippery to Climb
Details about what caused the collision are not yet known.
For now, one family is facing an unexpected loss, and the trucking community is once again reminded of how quickly things can go wrong out on the road. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the departed.
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