A deadly crash on the N2 near Mtubatuba claimed the lives of two truck drivers on Sunday evening, bringing traffic to a complete halt in both directions.
A third fatality was also reported but it could not be immediately verified from which vehicle they were.
The horror smash happened just south of Mtubatuba at the Umfolozi Bridge and involved three heavy motor vehicles and three light motor vehicles.
Initial reports from the scene confirm that two truck drivers died on impact.
Emergency services rushed to the scene where they found a chaotic mix of mangled wreckage and injured occupants. Multiple people were trapped inside the vehicles, including three who had already succumbed to their injuries, while two patients were stabilised and transported by Fastcare EMS as seriously injured, and another was treated sustained minor injuries.
With both directions of the N2 blocked off, traffic had to be diverted via Mtubatuba town, Riverview, Bhoboza and Umfolozi.
Authorities have advised that the road is likely to remain closed for most of the night while recovery and clean-up operations continue.
Read | Jabula truck driver killed after crashing into truck making a U-turn on N2 in Mtubatuba
To make matters worse, looting erupted shortly after the crash, with opportunistic individuals raiding the stationary trucks. Law enforcement has since moved in to try and contain the situation, but it’s added further pressure on already overwhelmed emergency teams.
Motorists are urged to avoid the N2 between Mtubatuba and Umfolozi entirely and make use of alternative routes such as the R618 or R66 where possible.
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but early indications point to a possible loss of control involving one of the trucks. Updates will follow as more details become available.
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