One killed, pass remains closed after crash causes another inferno
A second collision within two weeks involving trucks carrying hazardous chemicals has resulted in fires and the closure of the Kranspoort Pass.
The pass was closed since roughly 07:20 this morning after a collision involving multiple vehicles, including a diesel tanker, resulted in the ignition of the tanker and a serious diesel spill.
According to updated information, one person has been killed in the accident, and the Fire Department has managed to extinguish the blaze.
Johan Cross from Kranspoort Vakansiedorp also confirmed that the diesel spill has contaminated Kranspoort Dam, resulting in partial water pollution.
Kranspoort has had to switch off water pumps to prevent contamination of reservoirs, and while the estate’s reservoirs have water in, residents will have to use water sparingly due to the pollution.
Additional information was also received that the accident involved two side-tipper trucks, one diesel tanker, a bakkie and a car. Cross, however, could not confirm exactly how many vehicles were involved, but said three vehicles were visible from his vantage point.
Towing services are busy with vehicle recovery, but the pass remains closed, and an estimation of when it will be reopened cannot be made.
• The serious collision follows shortly after another accident on July 19, which resulted in a shipment of sulphur combusting.
The Kranspoort Pass was intermittently opened and closed throughout Saturday to Monday, to enable Hazmat crews to clean up the spill. The sulphuric fire resulted in a secondary veld fire, which was luckily contained before spreading to surrounding farms.
The incident of July 19 shed light on the clumsy handling of the scene by civilians and state departments alike, in their failure to completely close off the pass and evacuate non-essential persons until the scene had been entirely cleaned.
• Motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes to allow emergency services to complete their clean up of the scene.
@middelburgobserver Fiery accident in Kranspoort claims one life and results in closure of pass on N11 between Middelburg and Groblersdal.
