A tragic head-on collision in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday night has claimed one life and left two others injured. The accident occurred as holidaymakers made their way back to Gauteng from Durban and surrounding areas. The festive season has been marked by a series of fatal road incidents across the country.
IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick reported that the crash involved two light motor vehicles on the N2 Northbound near Zinkwazi.
“The driver of a bakkie traveling north was critically injured and trapped in the vehicle. Emergency services, including the KDM Fire Department, worked to extricate the driver, necessitating the closure of the N2 northbound,” Meyrick explained.
In the second vehicle, one occupant suffered serious injuries, while another tragically lost their life and was declared deceased at the scene. Both injured individuals were stabilized before being transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased,” Meyrick added.
The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) has urged motorists to exercise caution as traffic volumes rise during the post-holiday return.
According to N3TC spokesperson Thania Dhoogra, high traffic volumes have been observed since last week and are expected to increase further. She warned that inclement weather, as forecast by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), could exacerbate driving risks on the route.
In December alone, over 134 accidents were recorded on the N3, many attributed to fatigue and reckless driving.
Dhoogra emphasized that poor driver behavior remains a leading cause of accidents along the N3 Toll Route.
“Irresponsible actions such as speeding, reckless driving, loss of concentration, and distractions continue to contribute to crashes,” she stated.
The N3TC, which manages the 415km stretch of the N3 highway between Cedara in KZN and Heidelberg in Gauteng, is working alongside road safety partners to promote safer driving practices.
“Let’s all take accountability and work together to ensure the safety of everyone on our roads,” Dhoogra concluded.