N3 in Hammarsdale closed following multi-vehicle crash

The N3 between Cato Ridge and Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal was closed to traffic earlier on Saturday following an accident that claimed one person’s life while 18 others were injured.

The accident happened just after 05:30 on Saturday morning.

N3 HAMMARSDALE CLOSED FOLLOWING MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH

According to emergency service, ALS Paramedics, they arrived on the scene to find total carnage as two trucks and a fully laden taxi had collided closing the entire national route.

The emergency service said a quick triage system was set up and immediately more ambulances as well as Advanced Life Support Paramedics were dispatched to assist.

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One person, a female believed to be in her forties had sustained major injuries and there was nothing more paramedics could do for her and she was declared deceased on the scene.

“A total of 18 people has been stabilise on the scene with injuries ranging from moderate to serious and transported to various Durban and Pietermaritzburg hospitals for the further treatment that they required,” the emergency service said.

The N3 was reportedly closed for approximately one and a half hours while emergency personnel worked to clear the scene.

The cause of the accident is not yet known but the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) were reportedly on the scene and will be investigating further.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Five killed in multi-vehicle pile-up on the N3 near Hilton

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