UPDATE: As at 3.30pm, fresh reports indicated that the recovery of the trucks involved in the accident was still ongoing, posing major traffic disruption and backlogs to motorists travelling from Empangeni to Richards Bay.

THE John Ross R34 highway between the N2 bridge and the Eco Junction ground to a halt this morning (Monday) after two heavy-duty trucks collided.

The southbound off-ramp from the N2 onto the R34, as well as the slow lane on the John Ross highway in the vicinity of the accident, was closed for some hours as emergency services sought to attend to the drivers and mop up the cement and oil spills that ensued.

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The collision occurred at about 10am, involving a cement truck and a coal truck, obstructing the slow lane on the Richards Bay-bound carriageway.

According to Mounties EMS whose paramedics were on scene, one occupant sustained serious injuries but was stable, while a second sustained only minor injuries.

Both were treated on scene and taken to Ngwelezana Hospital, while a third patient refused transport.

The obstructed lane reopened at about 1.15pm, with traffic flowing and pointsmen directing vehicles as the backlog cleared.

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