News24 | Two cops among five killed in horrific accident along N3 in Durban

Five people died in a horrific accident along the N3, just after the Mariannhill Toll Plaza in KZN.

• Five people were killed in a collision between a minibus taxi and Polo vehicle in Durban on Friday.
• Two of the deceased are believed to be police officers.
• The taxi was carrying 17 passengers.

 Two police officers were among five people killed on Friday after a minibus taxi plunged down a 50m embankment on the N3, near Shongweni West, Durban.

KwaZulu-Natal’s Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, said Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officials established that a “reckless Polo driver caused the horrific accident” on the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg just after 17:00.

According to the RTI, a minibus taxi carrying 17 passengers was travelling to Ixopo when it veered off the road and rolled down the embankment.

Duma said truck drivers who witnessed the accident said the taxi driver was allegedly trying to avoid a reckless Polo driver when he lost control of the taxi.

The RTI team, Durban metro police, the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African police are reconstructing the accident as part of the investigation.

“At this stage, we are trying to locate the families of the deceased. Three passengers are in a serious condition, and nine others sustained minor injuries. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” said Duma.

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Garrith Jamieson, of ALS Paramedics, said the incident occurred just before 17:00 on Friday.

“First responders arrived on the scene to find chaos and carnage as they found the taxi and a light motor vehicle had collided before the taxi lost control and rolled down the embankment,” said Jamieson.

He said paramedics made their way down to the taxi and began setting up a triage station.

“Unfortunately, five people had sustained major injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do for them and they were declared deceased on the scene.

“Thirteen other passengers had sustained various injuries, ranging from moderate to critical, and while paramedics worked to stabilise them, the rescue teams made up of Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue, the eThekwini Fire Department and Mobiclaw began setting up a complicated roping system to bring the injured up to awaiting ambulances,” said Jamieson.

He said those injured had been transported to various Durban hospitals for further care.