Traffic was heavily affected on Sunday morning on the N3 outside Harrismith after a brand-new Volvo truck overturned just after Eeram, blocking both lanes towards Johannesburg and one lane towards Durban.
Before authorities arrived, northbound traffic was already using contra-flow on the Durban side to get past the wreck.
Witnesses at the scene told SA Trucker the truck was on its maiden trip when the crash happened.
“It’s painful to watch a new rig go down like that on its first trip,” one trucker said. “You wait months for delivery, spend millions, and before you even enjoy the first load, it’s lying on its side.”
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Fortunately, the driver escaped without injuries. The cause of the crash is still unknown, though some witnesses believe the truck might have lost balance on a curve.
Recovery crews worked for several hours to lift the overturned truck and clean up the scene. The road has since been reopened, and traffic is flowing normally again.
Truckers passing through said the incident is a harsh reminder that even brand-new machines can fail if the road or load conditions turn against you.
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