A seven-vehicle pile-up on the N12 toward Johannesburg near the R555 Ogies/Blackhill off-ramp in Mpumalanga ended in a fiery petrol tanker explosion and claimed the life of a woman this morning (June 15).

According to Witbank News, the crash reportedly involved four trucks and three vehicles and resulted in the highway in both directions being closed.

One of the trucks involved is said to have been a petrol tanker that exploded soon after the collision.

Witbank News was on the scene. In a live video on the newspaper’s Facebook page, it can be seen how motorists were being rerouted away from the affected stretch of road.

Or watch it here.

Recovery teams respond

Middelburg Observer reported that Feilims Recovery were on the scene of the crash and shared this footage:

The N12 was not the only route shrouded in fog this morning. Witbank News reports motorists travelling on the N4 also had to contend with difficult weather conditions.

Nadia Ndaba, who travelled along the N4 not far from eMalahleni, said visibility was extremely poor.

“We pulled over on the shoulder of the road and then deeper onto the grass as cars were also pulling off on the shoulder, but [we] couldn’t even see one another,” Ndaba said.

According to her, there were no crashes on that stretch of the N4 during this time. She did, however, express great concern over how some motorists drive irresponsibly in such weather conditions.

“The speed at which cars drive in zero visibility is ridiculous. Motorists show no caution, no lights, hazards and no cautious speed,” she said.

Highway remains a concern

In a separate article, Witbank News reported the N12 highway has become a constant concern for emergency responders, with repeated serious crashes turning the route into what one eyewitness describes as an ongoing ‘eyesore’ for those who work there.

“I feel bad; this is very sad,” said Thomas Leshaba from Tomdollers Towing.

Leshaba explained that the highway has become familiar ground for responders like himself, who are regularly dispatched to serious and often fatal collisions along the busy route.

He said poor visibility and dangerous driving conditions, especially during foggy mornings, contribute to repeated incidents.

Leshaba urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly in misty conditions, and to avoid unnecessary travel when visibility is poor.

“Be safe on the road and stop until the mist goes down,” he warned.

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