The N3 north bound uMbumbulu turn-off, heading for Pietermaritzburg is still undergoing clean–up operations following a horrific accident that happened in the early hours of this morning, 27 October 2009. Traffic is diverted to R103 and motorists travelling on this routes are urged to drive cautiously and tolerantly of other motorists.
According to Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) on the scene, two light motor vehicles that were stationery inside the emergency yellow lane were rear-ended by a truck, which pushed them for quite a distance and all three vehicles caught alight leaving five people dead, two critically injured and the driver of the truck survived with treatable injuries.
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu is horror-struck by the accident and that humans are dying in such a ghastly manner. He called upon all religious convictions to pray hard for the ending of road carnages that are experienced by this province.
"This is a fight that cannot be fought by the Department of Transport alone; it needs all motorists using KwaZulu-Natal roads to join hands and be the ambassadors of road safety and just do right at all times," said a disillusioned Mchunu.
Mchunu said in heart he is with the families of the bereaved in the traumatic experience of losing their loved ones and wished those hospitalised a speedily recuperation.
Media contact:
Lungile Ndlovu
Cell: 082 889 6629
Issued by: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
27 October 2009
Source: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
