N3 Closed After Multiple Trucks Collided in Pietermaritzburg Accident
- Three people were injured after three trucks collided into each other on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal
- The accident took place on the morning of 16 February 2025, and it brought traffic to a standstill
- Authorities worked to free one of the drivers who was trapped in the wreckage during the accident
For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, South Africa, covered a range of topics, including accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disaster-related incidents, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: UGC
PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL — Traffic was diverted, and paramedics worked hard to free a truck driver who was trapped after three trucks collided into each other on the N3 in Pietermaritzburg on 16 February 2026. Residents of KwaZulu-Natal were worried that the road where the accident happened was becoming infamous for collisions.
According to East Coast Radio, ALS Paramedics arrived on the scene where the three trucks caused a collision, bringing traffic to a standstill. The fire department is currently on the scene to free one of the drivers stuck in the wreckage. Two other people sustained moderate injuries and were attended by paramedics. Traffic has been directed onto the R103 at Lion Park.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Source: Facebook
South Africans worried about N3 accident
Road users accustomed to using the road expressed their concerns about the frequency of accidents.
Karen Bell-Thompson was fuming:
“Yep, that beautiful stretch of the new N3 is now a race track.”
Mike Evan observed:
“Tailgating and following distance and speed and chatting on a cellular phone, and, and, and, and.”
Chantelle Botes angrily said:
“Because they race on the road! End of story! The speed at which they drive daily is ridiculous!”
Heather Fountain Vorster was fearful:
"God help us all! To travel on this road is like running the gauntlet. The trucks and mostly Raptor bakkies do as they please. The rules and signage about overtaking simply do not apply to them. We travelled from Port Edward to Howick yesterday and not one traffic cop to be seen on or next to the road! Where are they?"
Rogini Rooplal was not pleased:
"They still don't learn that speed kills."
3 Briefly News stories about N3 accidents
Other accidents on the N3 have been fatal. Two people were killed when a taxi hit a stationary vehicle on the N3 near Balgowan on 24 December 2025. The car was stationary in the yellow emergency lane when the taxi collided with it. The drivers of both vehicles died. At least 10 people, including an infant and three children, suffered minor to moderate injuries.
A bakkie and a truck collided on the N3 Durban-bound before the Shongweni off-ramp on 16 January 2026. Three people were killed when the bakkie, which collided with the truck, drove into the barriers on the side of the road before it burst into flames. The truck driver sustained moderate injuries.
A total of 17 people were injured when two accidents took place on the N3 near the Marianhill Toll Plaza on 27 November. The accidents happened within two hours of each other. A truck's trailer overturned onto a full-laden taxi and a vehicle in the first accident. In the second crash, four trucks and a vehicle were involved in the accident, leaving five people injured.
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Source: Briefly News
