Eight killed as taxi and truck collide on N3 Toll Route, road remains closed for cleanup

Mapaballo Borotho

Eight people have died and six others were injured in a collision between a taxi and a truck on the N3 Toll Route near Swinburne, Free State.
Cleanup and recovery operations are ongoing, with the road remaining closed and traffic heavily affected.
Motorists are urged to delay travel and drive cautiously amid expected thunderstorms and wet road conditions.

The N3 Toll Route remains closed near Swinburne in the Free State following a deadly crash between a minibus taxi and a truck.

The horrific crash occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 30 October 2025, leaving eight people dead and six others injured.

In a short statement released by the N3 Toll Concession, full-scale cleanup operations are currently underway.

“All vehicles currently remain stacked on scene. Road users will continue to experience heavy traffic congestion and delays in the area while recovery operations are in progress and until lanes can be safely reopened.

Please remain patient, and if possible, delay travel to the area in the vicinity of the crash until further notice,” the statement concluded.

With thunderstorms and wet weather conditions expected in some parts of the country, motorists have been reminded to drive carefully on wet roads and to observe the following safety tips:

Maintain a safe following distance.
Reduce speed on wet surfaces.
Avoid sudden braking.
Watch out for oil patches.
Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
Switch on headlights for visibility.
Be mindful of vehicles behind you and in blind spots.
Take extra care during the first half hour after rain begins.