eMalahleni – In what can only be described as a miracle, no lives were lost in a massive 30-vehicle pile-up on the N12 near eMalahleni on Friday morning, 11 April 2025.
Despite the chaos and carnage, only two people were injured when thick mist brought traffic to a standstill and triggered a chain reaction of crashes.
The accident happened just after sunrise on a notorious S-bend stretch between eMalahleni and Ogies, where visibility dropped to near zero. Witnesses say the mist rolled in like a blanket, giving drivers little to no warning before chaos unfolded.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to find cars, bakkies, and trucks tangled across the highway. “It looked like a scrapyard exploded,” said one responder. “How no one died in that mess, we honestly don’t know. It’s a miracle.”
Two people were taken to hospital with injuries, though details on their condition remain unclear. The rest walked away, some shaken, some with minor cuts and bruises – but alive.
Watch | N12 pile-up crash | Dashcam shows truck ploughing into bus
The N12 was shut down completely, with traffic backed up for kilometres in both directions. Cops had to divert vehicles to the N4, creating delays all the way to Johannesburg.
Authorities believe the dense mist was the main cause, and they’ve once again reminded motorists to slow down, switch on their headlights, and keep a safe following distance when visibility is poor.
As investigators try to piece together the crash timeline, motorists are advised to adjust their driving in adverse weather.
Stay sharp out there, drivers. Weather can change in a blink, and it nearly cost 30 families everything today.
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