Pietermaritzburg – A tragic accident on the N3 Durban-bound highway near the Camperdown offramp resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services from ALS Paramedics were dispatched shortly after 1:30 p.m. to the scene, located just outside Pietermaritzburg. Upon arrival, responders encountered a chaotic situation involving a collision between two vehicles: a bakkie carrying passengers and another vehicle.
According to reports from the scene, the impact caused the bakkie to lose control, leading it to roll over and eject its occupants onto the busy national highway. The severity of the incident prompted an immediate call for additional ambulances to handle the high number of casualties.
The driver of the bakkie, a man in his forties, suffered severe injuries. Paramedics with advanced life support capabilities attempted to stabilize him on site, but he subsequently experienced cardiac arrest. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In addition to the driver, twelve other individuals from the bakkie sustained injuries requiring medical attention. Due to the absence of supporting ambulances from other services, ALS Paramedics managed the entire transport operation. They dispatched vehicles from distant locations, including Durban Central, to ensure all injured parties were conveyed to nearby government hospitals for further treatment.
The exact sequence of events preceding the crash remains unclear at this time. Officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) responded to the incident and are conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the cause.
This stretch of the N3 highway is a major route connecting key areas in KwaZulu-Natal, and such accidents highlight the ongoing risks associated with high-speed travel and vehicle overcrowding. Authorities have not released further details on the condition of the injured or the status of the other vehicle’s occupants, pending the completion of their inquiries.
The incident underscores the critical role of rapid emergency response in multi-casualty scenarios, where timely intervention can make a significant difference in outcomes. ALS Paramedics’ efforts ensured that the surviving victims received prompt care despite the logistical challenges posed by the remote location and limited immediate resources.
