KZN N3 Tragedy: Minibus Taxi Plunges Down Embankment, Leaving at Least 5 Dead

Pietermaritzburg – A minibus taxi has tragically rolled down an embankment along the N3, leading to the loss of at least five lives.

As per Garrith Jamieson, a spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, most passengers were ejected from the minibus when it rolled near the Shongweni off-ramp.

At around 5 pm on Friday, ALS Paramedics rushed to the scene of a devastating minibus taxi accident on the N3, just past the Marianhill Toll Plaza.

First responders arrived to find chaotic scenes, discovering that a minibus taxi had collided with a light motor vehicle.

Jamieson reported that the taxi rolled down the embankment, coming to rest approximately 50 meters below.

“Immediately, additional ambulances and Advanced Life Support Paramedics were sent to offer assistance,” he stated.

“Paramedics proceeded to the taxi and began establishing a triage station.

“Sadly, five individuals had sustained critical injuries, and ultimately, the Paramedics could do nothing for them, leading to their declaration of death at the scene.”

Jamieson mentioned that 13 other passengers suffered varying degrees of injuries, from moderate to critical, as Paramedics worked diligently to stabilize them.

The rescue teams employed a sophisticated roping system to hoist the injured individuals to waiting ambulances.

“After three hours, all the injured were successfully rescued and transported to various hospitals in Durban for urgent medical care,” said Jamieson.

The rescue operations involved members from Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue, Ethekweni Fire Department, and Mobiclaw.

In light of this tragic event, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma remarked: “According to our dedicated Road Traffic Inspectorate team, a minibus taxi carrying 17 passengers heading to Ixopo veered off the road and rolled about 50 meters down the embankment.”

MEC Duma also noted: “Witness statements from truck drivers suggest that the taxi driver lost control while trying to evade a reckless VW Polo driver.”

He emphasized that the RTI team, in cooperation with Durban Metro Police, Road Traffic Management Corporation, and the South African Police, will reconstruct the accident as part of their investigation.

“Currently, we are making efforts to reach the families of the deceased,” MEC Duma added.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families.

“Three passengers are reported to be in serious condition, while nine others suffered minor injuries and have been taken to R.K. Khan Hospital.”

Two of the deceased have been identified as police officers.

MEC Duma also stated that the site of the tragic accident remains an active scene.

“We applaud the emergency rescue personnel for their professionalism in recovering the deceased’s bodies,” he concluded.