A tragic head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the N2 near St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in 11 fatalities and eight critical injuries. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, at around 4am, in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Municipality. The minibus taxi was travelling northbound on the N2 when it collided with a truck travelling south.
The crash caused the minibus taxi to catch alight, resulting in burn wounds among the injured. A total of eight patients were transported to hospital with critical injuries. The KZN Department of Transport confirmed the incident and reported that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to establish the exact cause of the crash.
The KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the accident. The MEC's spokesperson confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The incident has sparked concerns about road safety in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly on the N2 highway.
This tragic accident is one of several recent incidents on South African roads. A man in his 20s died after his hatchback crashed into a truck on the N17 in Ekurhuleni, rolled several times, and came to rest in the middle of the freeway. Additionally, five people were killed when a minibus taxi collided with a Mercedes-Benz sedan, overturned, and caught fire at a busy Midrand intersection.
KwaZulu-Natal has been experiencing heavy rainfall, which has contributed to poor road conditions and an increase in accidents. Four people died in two separate road crashes in the province amid heavy rainfall, with poor visibility, wet roads, and flooding reported as contributing factors.
The provincial government has urged road users to exercise caution and follow road safety guidelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. The RTMC and SAPS will continue to investigate the cause of the crash and work towards preventing similar incidents in the future.
The community in KwaZulu-Natal is in shock following the tragic accident, and the provincial government has promised to provide support to the families of the victims. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to exercise caution on the roads.
Key points
- 11 people were killed in the head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the N2 near St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Eight people were critically injured in the accident, with some sustaining burn wounds.
- The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
