Eyewitnesses recount horrific accident on R40: one fatality confirmed

The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has confirmed the death of one person in the accident that occurred on the R40 near the Riverside Mall earlier today (Friday).

Moeti Mmusi, the spokesperson for the department, said the victim, the driver of the timber truck involved in the accident, was “burned beyond recognition”.

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Mmusi said five vehicles, excluding the truck were involved in the accident, leaving five people injured.

An eyewitness who spoke to the publication on the scene, Chani van der Merwe, said it seemed like the truck had lost its brakes. “The driver’s attempt to warn other motorists by hooting was in vain.”

Another witness, Dean Martyn, who narrowly escaped being hit by the truck himself, had witnessed how it smashed into the vehicle in front of him, which was occupied by his wife, Adré, and their five-month-old baby.

He said that a feeling of shock, horror and anger overwhelmed him as he saw the truck plough into her car. “We are lucky that they weren’t severely injured.”

Another witness, who did not want to be named, recalled how the truck had come down the hill at an “unbelievable speed”, hooting, before hitting a minibus first and then some other vehicles that had just started pulling away when the traffic light had turned green.

“The truck then left the road, rolled over and exploded,” she said.

“It was engulfed in flames almost instantly. I just knew it was going to be bad. Some people were running towards the truck to assist the driver, but it exploded again. It exploded about four times, and I just stood there and cried,” she recalled.

“I have never seen an accident this bad,” said Jannie Kleinhans, who came across the accident on his way to White River.

At about 15:00, the vehicle’s recovery had still been under way, and there were no indications of when the lane would reopen. The northbound lane, however, is open.

Mmusi said the accident is still under investigation, and therefore the exact cause is not yet known at this stage. It is also unclear how many people were injured during the accident. Lowvelder will update its readers as soon as more information becomes available.

NOTE: The R40 is open in both directions, but both lanes will be closed later this evening in order to recover the truck that was involved in the crash. Delays in traffic are to be expected.