Van Reenen's Pass closed following fatal crashes, diesel spill
Three people have been killed in multi-vehicle accidents on the N3 between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
The highway has been closed to traffic and is heavily backed up.
The N3 Toll Concession' (N3TC) Con Roux says multiple vehicles were involved in the two crashes, leading to the closure of Van Reenen's Pass between Harrismith and Ladysmith.
Roux says in a separate incident a diesel tanker spilt its load onto the road.
#ATT Secondary crash on #VanReenensPass due to the first crash. When two trucks collide. 1 fatality. pic.twitter.com/CHVx8cAnBX
— PigSpotter™ Pty Ltd (@PigSpotter) December 15, 2017
"Mop-up operations are underway - all resources have been deployed, and good progress is being made, but it is expected to take a few hours before the entire route can be cleared and re-opened to traffic.
"The combination between diesel and the rain experienced in the last couple of hours has (turned) Van Reenen's Pass into a skating rink.
#ATT The aforementioned fatal crash on #VanReenensPass on the N3. Highway is still closed, and has been since 3:35am. Massive backlog. Recovery vehicles en route. pic.twitter.com/xgJ7AeTqpi
— PigSpotter™ Pty Ltd (@PigSpotter) December 15, 2017
"We don't know when the highway will be reopened but we urged motorists to delay their travels or use the R74 to join the freeway."