A catastrophic crash on Van Reenen’s Pass this evening has claimed the lives of 18 people, including five children.
UPDATE: The clean-up of the deadly multi-vehicle crash Durban-bound, which claimed 18 lives, has been completed. All lanes in both directions have reopened. Motorists are urged to proceed with extreme caution on this stretch.
Van Reenen’s Pass crash: Here’s what we can confirm
The deadly collision, involving a truck, a minibus, and a light motor vehicle, occurred on the N3 Durban-bound carriageway, a critical route for freight and passenger traffic connecting KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Scene of Devastation
Emergency services remain at the scene, working to retrieve bodies, assist survivors, and clear the road.
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Among the victims are 13 adults and five children, authorities have confirmed. Remarkably, a baby was found alive amid the wreckage and has been rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Details surrounding the cause of the crash remain unclear as investigators begin piecing together the sequence of events.
The N3 Toll Concession issued a statement on its social media platform, urging motorists to avoid the area:
“N3-6X 49.0 S #DurbanBound near #VanReenenTown. Multiple pile up. [The] entire road remains closed, traffic is stacked. Your patience is highly appreciated. Please approach the area with caution.”
Traffic along the N3 remains at a standstill as authorities work to reopen the road, which serves as a vital artery for both commercial and private travel.
Motorists have been advised to delay their trips or find alternative routes.
Van Reenen’s Pass is known for its challenging terrain and heavy vehicle traffic, particularly trucks transporting goods between provinces.
The steep gradients and sharp bends have contributed to a history of fatal accidents on the route, despite safety measures and frequent road maintenance.
As this is a developing story, updates on the condition of the infant survivor, road clearance, and further details about the crash are expected to follow. Authorities have urged patience and caution for those travelling along the N3.
