FINAL UPDATE: 1.45am
The Highway Mail has been reliably told that the M7 should be open again by 2pm.
UPDATE: Midday
Police have released a statement to the effect that they are investigating a case of culpable homicide following this horrific accident. We will link here to a new story with the details soon.
ALSO READ: Further charges expected in culpable homicide investigation of M7 horror crash: Malvern SAPS
UPDATE: 11.30am
THE M7 is still closed as authorities work to clear the road and investigate the crash involving three trucks and 6 light motor vehicles which brought the road to a standstill this morning.
Fire services and multiple rescue services were on the scene along with members of the SAPS, Metro Police and Road Traffic Inspectorate.
According to Garrith Jamieson of Rescue Care who provided the Highway Mail with many of the images and video footage in this story, the road is only expected to be open at between 12 and 1pm this afternoon, (Wednesday, 13 November).
One person lost their life and many others were injured, some very critically, and were taken by two different aeromedical helicopter services to hospital for urgent medical assistance.
Here are some of the images from the accident scene from Rescue Care:
ALSO READ: Man and his beloved dog killed in Pinetown crash
Here is how we reported the incident earlier:
RESCUERS are battling to put out a blazing tanker truck in peak morning traffic on the M7 (Solomon Mahlangu Drive formerly known as Edwin Swales VC Drive) following an accident involving three trucks and six light motor vehicles, today (13 November).
A spokesman for private ambulance and paramedic service, Rescue Care, Garrith Jamieson, described the accident as horrific in a video clip he sent from the scene while rescuers were working to help the injured and manage the scene.
According to Jamieson, all the necessary authorities are on the scene and will be investigating what led to this accident.
As described in the next video clip, the accident has resulted in the Durban bound lanes of the road becoming severely congested.
However, the Pinetown bound lanes have also been adversely affected by this accident
People wanting to travel into or out of the city between Durban and Pinetown are advised to take another route until further notice.
At present, the Highway Mail has no confirmed number of casualties but it has been confirmed that at least one person has died in this accident.
Two aeromedical helicopters were sent to help lift people who are injured from the scene to the hospital.
This is a developing story and will be updated as further information becomes available.
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