THREE people have died  in a horrific collision involving a truck and a bakkie on the N3 Durban-bound (southbound) carriageway, just before the Shongweni off-ramp this morning (Friday, January 16).

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said initial reports indicated that a truck had collided with a bakkie.

“The bakkie then struck pedestrians who were working on the N3 freeway, after which the truck veered through the centre median, crossed the northbound carriageway, and plunged down an embankment.”

Upon arrival, Jamieson said paramedics were met with scenes of chaos and devastation.

“The bakkie, believed to have been carrying three occupants in the front, was found alight and burning in the middle of the highway. The truck driver was located on the northbound carriageway and, fortunately, had sustained no injuries.

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“Paramedics immediately established a triage area, as several road workers had been struck when the vehicles collided with the barrier. Four workers sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

“They were stabilised on scene by ALS paramedics and transported to a nearby hospital,” reported Jamieson.

Jamieson said all three occupants of the bakkie sustained fatal injuries.

“Despite all efforts, there was nothing paramedics could do, and they were declared deceased at the scene. The eThekwini Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter and successfully extinguished the fire.”

He strongly advised motorists to avoid the area at all costs as at present the N3 Durban-bound carriageway remains closed to traffic to allow emergency personnel to manage and clear the scene.

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