Pietermaritzburg – The N3 northbound between the Lynnfield Park off-ramp and Ashburton has been severely affected this morning following two serious truck crashes, with the second accident leading to a full road closure and massive traffic delays.
The first crash occurred around 06h00 when two articulated trucks collided at the deep just before the Ashburton off-ramp towards Pietermaritzburg. While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear, the impact left the trucks mostly occupying the centre median, causing only minimal obstruction to traffic.
However, less than two hours later, a side tipper truck ploughed into several cars before rear-ending another truck in the same stretch. This second incident was far more severe, forcing authorities to close the entire northbound carriageway as emergency services and recovery teams worked to clear the wreckage.
At this stage, it could not be immediately confirmed whether there were any casualties in both crashes. The road remains wet, and early indications suggest that slippery conditions may have contributed to the accidents.
Read | Trucker Airlifted After Serious N3 Crash Near Ashburton
This section of the N3 is already known as an accident hotspot, and wet weather appears to have worsened the situation.
Traffic is heavily backed up, and motorists are urged to delay their trips or seek alternative routes while authorities work to reopen the road.
Truckers, be warned – wet roads and this notorious stretch of the N3 are a dangerous combination. Stay safe!
More updates to follow. Watch the scene below:
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