16 injured after minibus taxi rolls near Buccleuch

At least 16 people have been injured after a minibus taxi overturned on the N1 highway near Buccleuch with the massive traffic congestion.

It is understood the accident happened just after 7 am on Monday at the Buccleuch interchange. The taxi was travelling from Johannesburg CBD to Midrand.

There is at least a 30-minute delay with traffic severely congested

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla has urged motorists to approach the area with caution.

Injuries

“There’s a serious accident near Buccleuch where a minibus taxi has overturned. Emergency services, including paramedics and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers, are at the scene.

“All 16 occupants of the taxi, including the driver, are injured. It’s reported that five passengers sustained minor injuries, while the remaining 11 have suffered more serious injuries,” Fihla said.

Fihla said the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

“One lane of the N1 North is closed due to the incident, resulting in traffic congestion and delays. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible or plan for delays,” Fihla said.

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KZN crash

Meanwhile, three people died in an accident along the N2 near the Fairbreeze mine and KwaGingindlovu on the route to Richards Bay.

Two vehicles are believed to have collided in the late afternoon rain, leaving five people in critical condition, while three suffered fatal injuries.

“Our team from Road Traffic Inspectorate have closed off the Durban bound lane allowing traffic to flow on the Empangeni bound fast lane,” confirmed Ndabazinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the MEC for transport.

Sibiya asked motorists to heed the warnings issued and take extra precautions when travelling in dangerous weather.

“Earlier on, we issued a statement indicating that given the grumpy weather and predicted heavy rainfall, our teams from the RTI across KwaZulu-Natal are on full alert and patrolling freeways and byways,” stated Sibiya.

Additional reporting by Jarryd Westerdale

ALSO READ: Three dead in crash on N2 between Richards Bay and KwaGingindlovu