Emergency services responded to a devastating multi-vehicle collision on the N2 at Canefields near Empangeni on Tuesday morning.

Four vehicles were involved — a light delivery vehicle (LDV), two light motor vehicles (LMVs), and a truck. Paramedics from KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service, along with other emergency responders, arrived to find a chaotic scene.

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According to KwaZulu Private Ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha, the force of the high-impact collision caused catastrophic damage to the vehicles and resulted in the truck overturning, necessitating a complex rescue operation.

“Paramedics immediately established a triage area and conducted a rapid assessment of the five patients involved,” said Botha. “Tragically, one person was declared deceased at the scene after succumbing to fatal injuries before emergency services arrived.”

Of the four surviving patients, one sustained critical injuries and required advanced life support intervention to stabilise their condition. Two others suffered serious injuries, while the fifth patient sustained minor injuries.

“All injured patients received on-scene medical treatment before being transported to a nearby hospital for further and urgent care,” Botha added.

He further explained that the challenging scene required close coordination among all responding agencies. Fire Department personnel worked to secure the wreckage and assist with possible extrication, while the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) managed traffic congestion and scene control.

“The collision severely affected both northbound and southbound traffic, with the emergency lane and left lane obstructed. Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash,” Botha said.

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