Preliminary investigations reveal cause of the N3 crash at Van Reenen’s Pass, involving a minibus taxi, truck, and Renault Clio.
Fatal N3 crash: A devastating accident on the N3 toll road at Van Reenen’s Pass has claimed 17 lives, leaving only one minor girl as the sole survivor. The collision involved a minibus taxi, a truck, and a Renault Clio, which tragically ran over passengers flung from the taxi.
Minibus Taxi Swerves into Oncoming Traffic
Preliminary investigations reveal that the minibus taxi, affiliated with the UNcedo Taxi Association, was travelling from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg. For reasons still under investigation, the taxi swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a truck.
Truck and Driver Details
The truck involved in the crash was driven by a Zimbabwean national named Mr. N Mbedezi. The truck was headed from Johannesburg to Durban at the time of the incident.
Fatalities and Injuries
The accident resulted in the deaths of seven adult males, three adult females, three minor boys, and four minor girls. Only one passenger, a minor girl, survived the crash. There were 18 occupants in the minibus taxi, including the driver. Initially, authorities reported 18 fatalities, but the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport later revised the death toll to 17.
Renault Clio Incident
In a separate but linked event, a Renault Clio, travelling from Durban, ran over passengers who were flung out of the minibus taxi during the collision.
Condolences and Investigations
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Arrangements are being made for the families to travel to Ladysmith to formally identify their loved ones.
Also read: Tragedy on N3 Toll Highway: Van Reenen’s Pass Reopens After Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash
