A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday night as a collision between two articulated trucks, one of which was a tanker, resulted in a fiery inferno on the N3 at Van Reenen Pass.
The incident occurred on the Durbanbound carriageway around 8:40 pm, claiming the life of one truck driver and leaving another injured.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, where traffic had come to a standstill due to the intense blaze.
Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames as they engulfed both vehicles.
Once the fire was brought under control, authorities initiated a stop-and-go system on the JoburgBound lanes to alleviate congestion.
However, the true extent of the tragedy became apparent when officials were able to assess the wreckage.
It was revealed that one of the truck drivers had succumbed to the impact of the collision, while the driver of the tanker truck managed to survive the harrowing ordeal.
Initial reports indicate that the second truck collided with the tanker before overturning and immediately igniting, triggering a chain reaction of destruction.
Watch | Truck Hurtles Down Van Reenen Pass at 190km/h After Brake Failure
The resulting inferno consumed both vehicles, with the flames spreading to the isotank being towed by one of the trucks, intensifying the blaze.
A video capturing the devastating aftermath of the crash serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by truckers and commuters alike on South Africa’s roads.
02h04 14/02 #N3VehicleFireUpdate: N3 6X 40.8 S #DurbanBound near #VanReenenPass . 2 Trucks on fire. Recovery in progress, #DurbanBound is opened and #JoburgBound traffic stacked on scene. Please approach the area with caution. 00222 (12)
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) February 14, 2024
As investigations into the incident continue, SA Trucker urges motorists to exercise caution and adhere to road safety protocols to prevent further tragedies.
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