A tragic sequence of events unfolded on Durban’s M7 highway on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a female SAPS officer.
Durban SAPS officer dies in tragic M7 accident
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The officer, in her 30s, was responding to an initial accident involving a truck and a car when a secondary collision occurred, involving another truck that ploughed into the first accident scene.
The incident took place on the Durban-bound M7, near the N2 interchange. The Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, described the scene as one of “total devastation.”
The fatal collision led to the closure of the M7 in both directions between Bellville Bridge and the N2 interchange. Jamieson highlighted the treacherous road conditions due to the wet weather in Durban and its surroundings, urging motorists to exercise caution.
In addition to the tragic loss of the SAPS officer, ALS Paramedics treated three individuals for injuries ranging from moderate to serious. The victims were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further medical attention.
The M7 has witnessed multiple incidents due to the inclement weather, with the common areas affected being the M7 between Pinetown and the Bluff, the M19 towards Reservoir Hills, the M13 towards Field’s Hill, and the M4 south towards Edwin Swales Drive.
Durban braces for extreme weather: These areas are listed as hotspots
In the wake of this tragedy, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 5 weather warning for disruptive rains across much of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The warning, effective from midday to 23:00 on Wednesday, comes amidst already-saturated soil from recent heavy rains.
Areas expected to be affected include:
- Hlabisa;
- Hluhluwe;
- Jozini;
- Mandeni;
- Mthonjaneni;
- Mtubatuba;
- Nkandla;
- Nongoma;
- Ulundi;
- uMhlabuyalingana;
- uMhlathuze; and
- Pongola.
Residents in these areas are advised to be on high alert, as the significant amount of rain may lead to flooding of roads and settlements, damage to mud-based houses, and displacement of communities.
The SAWS cautions that “more than 80mm of rainfall accumulation is expected in some places along the coast and the northern interior of KZN,” with a high risk of widespread flooding.
Motorists are advised to stay indoors if possible and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, and take caution while travelling.
