A truck driver has lost his life, while another was critically injured after an accident on the N3 freeway, at Peace Vale near Cato Ridge, in KZN on Thursday morning.
According to emergency officials, an out of control 18-wheeler slammed into a stationary truck on the roadway at about 05h30.
The stationary truck had been transporting a consignment of phosphoric acid, other corrosive chemicals and a compound meant for glue. It's thought this truck was parked in the break down lane.
Spokesman for Netcare911 Chris Botha said when the driver of the second truck lost control of his vehicle, “the impact was so great the front truck was shifted several meters forward and the cab from the rear trailer resembled a heap of crumpled metal.”
Botha said the driver of the out of control truck died at the scene and was heavily entrapped in the vehicle.
The man's passenger was flung from the wreckage, but, on impact both he and the driver had been covered in chemicals.
Both men had to be washed and “decontaminated” from the chemicals before being removed and transported, Botha said.
He said the injured passenger was treated on the scene before being taken to the R K Khan hospital in Chatsworth, south of Durban.
The occupant of the stationary truck was also hurt, but his injuries were very minor, said Botha
Meanwhile, various clean up operations took place and the roadway was closed for several hours, affecting traffic. - IOL