The scene of this morning’s fatal accident on the N1 North in the Soutpansberg Mountain Pass. Photo: Department of Transport.
The N1 between Louis Trichardt and Musina has been closed following a horrific vehicle accident involving a heavy motor vehicle and a sedan in the Soutpansberg mountain pass. The accidents occurred at the scene of an earlier accident involving a stationary truck on the roadway and a bakkie.
The earlier accident occurred just past the notoriously dangerous “Ingwe” hairpin turn on the N1 North when the bakkie drove into the back of a truck amidst overcast and misty conditions. No serious injuries were apparently reported following this accident. Shortly afterwards, at around 08:00, however, a second and more horrific accident occurred between a second heavy vehicle and a sedan.
Although the exact circumstances surrounding the accidents will be subject to further police investigation, initial reports indicated that the second heavy vehicle and the sedan collided head-on right next to the scene of the earlier accident. The second heavy vehicle, travelling down the mountain pass, completely drove over the sedan, after which the truck capsized. The exact number of fatalities remains unclear but is believed to have been sustained entirely by the occupants of the sedan.
In light of the accident, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety issued a statement informing motorists that the N1 is closed.
The department advised motorists travelling north to turn right at the Witvlag turn-off and continue to the Siloam junction, turning left onto the R523 towards Dzanani, and proceeding straight to join the N1 again. Motorists travelling from Musina are advised to turn left at the T-junction to Siloam/Witvlag just before the Hendrik Verwoerd tunnels.
At the time of going to press, it was unclear how long the N1 would remain closed.
