Multiple People Dead in N3 Accident Near Shongweni, Taxi Plunges Down Embankment After Collision

• ALS Paramedics are at the scene where a taxi veered off the road after colliding with another vehicle
• Motorists are advised to avoid the area as rescue operations are underway to clear the scene
• Paramedics are yet to confirm how many fatalities there are or how many passengers were injured

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

KWAZULU-NATAL - Multiple people have died following an accident on the N3, Pietermaritzburg bound.

The fatalities occurred after a taxi collided with a vehicle and then veered off the road. The incident happened before 17:30 near the Shongweni off-ramp.

The taxi, which was travelling to Ixopo, plunged down the embankment and landed approximately 50 to 60 metres below the road level.

Rescue efforts underway on N3

According to ALS Paramedics, who were on the scene, emergency service officials had to go down towards the vehicle and stabilise the injured patients.

They also confirmed that several passengers had passed away, but the exact number could not be confirmed at first.

Paramedics have also had to bring injured passengers up the embankment where ambulances can transport them to the hospital. Motorists are advised to avoid the area as rescue operations continue.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson later confirmed the exact number of passengers that died.

“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; they were declared deceased on the scene,” he said.

Reckless Polo driver blamed for the accident

The Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has since confirmed that five people have been killed in the crash. Two policemen are reportedly among the victims.

In an official media statement, the MEC noted that the taxi swerved off the road after the driver attempted to avoid a reckless Polo Driver. The taxi driver then lost control of the vehicle and rolled down the embankment.

Three passengers were rushed to the RK Khan Hospital and remain in a serious condition. Nine others are said to have suffered minor injuries.

“At this stage, we are trying to locate the families of the deceased. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” the MEC said.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) are investigating the accident.

The province of KZN has witnessed some horrific accidents in 2025. In January, a horrific accident on the N3 toll route on Van Reenen's Pass killed 18 people. In March, four marathon runners died when the car they were travelling in collided with two trucks on the N3 route.

Teachers left dead in fatal accident

Briefly News also reported that a bakkie carrying teachers was involved in a crash in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape.

The crash, which happened on 24 June 2025, left three teachers injured and two others seriously injured.

Some South Africans were left worried following the accident, remarking that the province was cursed.

Source: Briefly News