WATCH: Tanker collision causes fiery chaos on Van Reenen’s Pass
Motorists currently travelling from the Tugela Plaza towards the pass have been adversely affected by the crash, with queuing traffic in the area as clean-up efforts continue.
Image: CrimeWatch24 PHOENIX/Twitter
A fiery collision between two fuel tankers at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday night has resulted in heavy Monday morning traffic.
According to Traffic SA, motorists travelling from the Tugela Plaza towards the pass have been adversely affected by the crash.
KZN – N3 North: #TankerFire on Van Reenens Pass (Update):
HEAVY QUEUE from Tugela plaza side going towards the pass – all traffic using southbound lanes to pass the scene pic.twitter.com/mzqu8Vr3fm
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) December 2, 2019
One lane in both directions of the N3 at Van Reenen is currently open for traffic, Ladysmith Gazette.
A dual-fuel tanker with a trailer carrying both petrol and diesel reportedly caught fire due to a mechanical failure on the N3 Toll Route while parked in a lay-by near the Pyramid Motel.
Fuel leaked across the road from the burning trailer, setting another four trucks alight.
VAN REENENS PASS : 2 FUEL TANKERS COLLIDED SENDING FUEL IN ALL DIRECTIONS& THEN THE EXPLOSION WITH MORE VEHICLES BEING BURNT FROM THE RUNNING FUEL. AVOID!!! pic.twitter.com/7VJ9rFkIk6
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) December 1, 2019
KZN UPDATE: N3 Van Reenens Pass.
2 truck accident
TANKER on fire
Services on scene.EXPECT HEAVY DELAYS. ROAD WILL POSSIBLY BE CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME. https://t.co/9YxSeEcCCf pic.twitter.com/DXVz1oERds
— ᑕᖇIᗰEᗯᗩTᑕᕼ 24 (@CrimeWatch24) December 1, 2019
Fire and emergency services worked throughout the night to bring the fire under control. It has now been extinguished, but mop-up and recovery operations are expected to continue for most of the day.
News, Accidents, Robberies and Incidents (NARI) reported on Monday morning that according to an early morning update by the N3 Toll Concession, five trucks were involved in the crash.
01h41 02/12 #N3Alert #VehicleFireUpdate: N3-6X 51.0S DurbanBound near Pyraminds Motel at #VanReenenPass. 5 Trucks involved. Clean- up is in progress and traffic still stacked on scene. Your patience will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) December 1, 2019
The update added that clean-up operations are currently underway, but that motorists will still be queuing in the area. There has not yet been any indication of how long the clean-up efforts will take, but major backlogs are expected on the N3, so motorists are advised to either delay their journey or use an alternative route.
No criminal activity has been reported.
It is not yet clear if anyone was killed or injured in the crash.
Updates to follow as more information is made available.
(Compiled by Nica Schreuder)
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