Durban – Truckers heading to and from the Durban Container Terminals on Sunday afternoon were stuck in a massive traffic backlog after a Transnet Freight train derailed on Bayhead Road, just a few metres from the South Coast Road intersection.
The incident, which occurred at around midday, completely blocked the busy route, halting all truck movement in and out of the port.
According to drivers caught in the gridlock, there was no movement from around 12:00 until the train was removed several hours later.
Video footage sent to SA Trucker shows that the derailment appeared minor. It happened while the train was moving at a slow speed, with only the lead locomotive’s wheels leaving the track.
Despite this, the blockage caused significant delays for port-bound freight traffic.
Sources told SA Trucker that Transnet dispatched another locomotive, which approached from behind to tow the disabled train and guide it back onto the rails.
Operations resumed once the train was cleared from the roadway.
Read | Massive Derailment as Two Transnet Trains Collide Near Empangeni
The cause of the derailment remains unclear, and Transnet has not yet issued an official statement.
The Bayhead area is a critical freight corridor for Durban’s port operations, and any disruption quickly causes congestion, impacting the country’s import and export flow.
Sunday’s incident once again highlighted how vulnerable the route is to unforeseen breakdowns or accidents.
Watch the video below:
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