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MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu has expressed his shock after seven trucks collided living five people dead on the N3 North bound near Bergville Interchange this morning, 31 January 2013.

Preliminary reports reveal that, three trucks collided early this morning, one person was critically injured. There was another accident on the same spot where, other trucks were stationary because of the traffic caused by the first accident. It is alleged that a big truck failed to stop and collided with four trucks.

Five people died on the scene, one female and four males, one was critically injured (a driver) and two sustained minor injuries. The injured were taken to Ladysmith Provincial Hospital. A case of culpable homicide has been opened pending investigation. MEC Mchunu has expressed his deep concern over the accidents that has engulfed KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and claimed so many lives.

“We are worried that since the beginning of the year, we are experiencing unprecedented deaths on our roads. Just last week, we were at Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg after a car crash that claimed seven lives. Also two weeks ago we were at uLundi –oKhukho where eight people were killed on their way to Johannesburg, also five people were killed on the M4 in Durban early this week and now this accident that has claimed five lives.

I am really concerned with the level of fatalities on our roads; however as the department we are going work with road players in the transport industries and the civil society to develop mechanisms to respond decisively on the scourge of road carnages and lawlessness on the road. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and to also wish those injured a speedy recuperation.

However I would like urge all motorists to be extra careful when driving on the roads and to slow down especially if there is an accident to avoid such unnecessary injuries,” said Mchunu.