Update: Three Lives Lost as Out-of-Control Bakkie Slams Into Truck on N3 Near Shongweni

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New details have emerged following the horrific N3 crash near the Shongweni off-ramp that claimed three lives, with a witness now shedding light on how the tragedy unfolded.

According to a trucker who witnessed the moments leading up to the crash, the bakkie involved was travelling northbound on the N3 when it allegedly lost control. The vehicle is said to have crossed the centre median and entered the Durban-bound carriageway, where it collided head-on with an oncoming heavy-duty truck.

This new account paints an even more chilling picture of how quickly things went wrong on the busy freeway.

Emergency services were dispatched shortly before 09:15 after multiple calls from road users reporting a serious crash, flames, and debris scattered across both sides of the N3. On arrival, paramedics were met with a devastating scene.

According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, the bakkie was already fully engulfed in flames when emergency crews reached the scene. Firefighters from eThekwini Fire Department worked swiftly to contain the blaze.

The violent impact caused the truck to leave the roadway and crash down an embankment into the bush on the side of the freeway.

The bakkie reportedly struck concrete barriers in a roadworks area before bursting into flames.

Tragically, three people who were travelling in the back of the bakkie sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased at the scene. Initial reports suggested one person had died but it later emerged that the total of number of the deceased was three, all from the bakkie.

The truck driver survived but suffered moderate injuries and was transported to hospital for further treatment.

Four road construction workers were also injured during the chaos. They were stabilised on scene by advanced life support paramedics before being taken to hospital.

The N3 Durban-bound remained fully closed for several hours, causing heavy delays as emergency services, fire crews, and investigators worked to clear the wreckage.