One man has been killed and four others seriously injured when an out-of-control articulated truck laid waste to two cars on the N2 near Zinkwazi early this morning.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the horse and trailer had been travelling south when the trailer began to snake left and right, swinging into oncoming traffic. As the steel trailer veered into the north bound carriageway the driver of a light motor vehicle was unable to avoid and was side swiped. The right and side of the car was torn open by the jagged edges of the trailer and the driver was killed on impact.
A passenger in the car sustained serious injuries.
The truck driver then lost control of the vehicle completely and it rolled repeatedly, coming to rest approximately 150 metres from the initial point of impact, completely blocking the north bound carriageway.
The driver of a bakkie also headed north was unable to stop in time and collided with the overturned trailer. He was seriously injured and managed to alight from the bakkie and was waiting at the roadside when Netcare911 Paramedics arrived.
The driver and passenger of the truck sustained serious injuries and all those hurt in the smash were treated and stabilised by Netcare911 Advanced Life Support Paramedic Shaun Paul and his team before they were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for further care.
Traffic has been obstructed and the road will be closed. Diversions are expected.
Jeffrey Wicks
Netcare 911
