Driver killed after cab of truck detaches and plummets 50 metres over N3 bridge in the Durban outer west region

The cab of a truck came to rest on a river bank 50 metres below a bridge on the N3 in Peacevale, killing the driver, on Monday. Picture: Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (START)

The cab of a truck came to rest on a river bank 50 metres below a bridge on the N3 in Peacevale, killing the driver, on Monday. Picture: Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (START)

Published Nov 1, 2022

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Durban – A truck travelling towards Pietermaritzburg on the N3 in Peacevale, in Durban’s outer west region, crashed into the side of a bridge, causing the cab to separate from its trailer.

Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (START) director and spokesperson Warren Brauns said medical teams were dispatched at about 5.45 pm on Monday after reports of a truck accident.

Brauns said when members arrived at the scene they found that the cab had gone over the side of the bridge.

“(The cab dropped) approximately 50 metres into the river below, leaving the trailer on the N3 bridge,” said Brauns.

Brauns said the cab was too unstable and a decision was made to call for assistance from the START High Angle team and Netcare 911 Rescue2.

“Specialised hydraulic rescue tools and ropes were used to extract the driver,” he said. The driver was declared dead at the scene.

“The scene was then handed over to the SAPS for further investigation.”

THE MERCURY