Five Killed, Nine Injured in N2 Highway Carnage
KwaZulu-Natal is reeling after a horrific four-vehicle collision on the N2 highway near KwaMbonambi on Friday afternoon claimed the lives of five people and left nine others seriously injured. The devastating incident, which occurred at approximately 14:20, brought traffic to a standstill for over three hours as emergency services battled to rescue victims from the mangled wreckage.
The KwaZulu-Natal transport department has described the incident as a "festive season tragedy," highlighting the devastating impact on families during what should be a time of celebration.
According to a preliminary report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), the collision was allegedly triggered by reckless overtaking. Transport department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya explained the sequence of events: "According to a preliminary report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate, it is alleged that vehicle one was travelling south, whilst vehicle two, vehicle three and vehicle four were travelling towards the north. Vehicle one overtook on a barrier line and collided with vehicle two which overturned. Vehicle one went on to collide with vehicle three and pushed it to vehicle four."
The chain-reaction crash involved a total of 15 people across the four vehicles, including all four drivers. Tragically, all fatalities occurred in vehicle one and vehicle two, according to Sibiya.
Emergency services personnel faced a challenging scene as they worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured before transporting them to various medical facilities. The injured were distributed across three hospitals: Nseleni Clinic, Ngwelezane Hospital, and Bay Hospital, ensuring they received prompt medical attention.
The aftermath of the collision required extensive clean-up operations, resulting in the closure of both lanes of the busy national route for nearly four hours. The road was finally reopened at 17:50, allowing traffic to resume its course.
In the wake of this tragedy, authorities have pledged to intensify their efforts to ensure road safety throughout the festive season. Sibiya emphasised the commitment to increased visibility and enforcement: "Authorities have vowed to maintain heightened visibility on the roads as the festive season continues, with the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), National Traffic Police and municipal traffic departments all increasing their presence."
As part of this sustained road safety campaign, the transport department conducted an urgent roadblock at the Marrianhill Toll Plaza later on Saturday. This initiative underscores the department's determination to clamp down on traffic violations and prevent further tragedies.
Sibiya highlighted the scale of ongoing enforcement efforts: "More than 73 055 cars have been stopped in KwaZulu-Natal since 1 December. The no-nonsense RTI team will be in every corner of the province enforcing traffic rules."
The tragic events on the N2 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations, particularly during the busy festive season. Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution, avoid reckless behaviour, and prioritise safety to prevent further loss of life on KwaZulu-Natal's roads. The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities piece together the events leading up to the devastating crash. The focus remains on supporting the families of the deceased and ensuring the injured receive the best possible care as they begin their recovery.
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