News24 | 17 injured in KZN bus crash as authorities urge caution amid Level 8 weather warning

17 people were injured when a bus and truck collided on the N3 highway near Colenso on Monday morning. (Mi7 National Group/Supplied)

• KZN motorists have been urged to exercise extreme caution as the province faces a Level 8 weather warning due to heavy rains and wet conditions. 
• The N3 Toll Route, particularly the areas affected by the bus crash near Colenso, has seen significant disruptions. 
• Authorities are advising drivers to reduce their speed, maintain safe following distances, and drive defensively.

Motorists in KwaZulu-Natal have been urged to be vigilant amid a Level 8 weather warning, after 17 people were injured when a bus and truck collided on the N3 highway, near Colenso, on Monday morning. 

According to the Mi7 National Group, their emergency medical services were dispatched and found that a bus had collided with a container truck, injuring 17 people.

Five patients were left with serious injuries, and the rest with minor injuries. 

"Multiple service providers worked hand-in-hand to triage and stabilise the patients, some of whom were entrapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated. Several patients were transported to various hospitals," said the Mi7 National Group. 

The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) said northbound traffic towards Gauteng was currently severely affected while recovery was under way. 

Confirming the accident, Thania Dhoogra, Chief Operating Officer of the N3TC, said it resulted in slow-moving traffic.

READ | Level 8 weather warning: KwaZulu-Natal residents brace for severe rainfall

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 8 warning on Sunday for disruptive rainfall predicted over large parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, continuing into Wednesday.

SAWS said the disruptive rainfall could lead to widespread flooding of roads and settlements and cause a danger to life and loss of livestock along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in KwaZulu-Natal, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said disaster management teams have been placed on high alert following the weather warning received from the SAWS.

Dhoogra said wet weather conditions were currently being experienced along most parts of the N3 Toll Route. 

He said:

The warning sentiment was also shared by the provincial Department of Transport and Human Settlements spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, who said they had received reports of crashes following heavy rains.

Sibiya said they are also working with other departments to respond to any incidents or disasters emanating from the heavy rains. 

"We are prepared to respond with a high sense of urgency," said Sibiya.