At approximately 08h50 this morning, KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service paramedics, along with a multiple service team, responded to a devastating multi-vehicle collision on the N2 national highway, Cane Fields just north of the R102 intersection, Empangeni area.
Emergency services arrived at the chaotic scene to find a horrific wreck involving four vehicles, one Light Delivery Vehicle (LDV), two Light Motor Vehicles (LMV), and a Truck. The force of the high-impact collision caused catastrophic damage to the vehicles and resulting in the truck overturning, necessitating a complex rescue operation.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance paramedics immediately established a triage area and began a rapid assessment of the total of five patients involved in the crash. The severity of the incident was profound, with tragically one person declared deceased at the scene, having succumbed to their fatal injuries before the arrival of emergency services.
Of the four surviving patients, one person was found to have sustained critical injuries, requiring advanced life support intervention to stabilise their precarious condition. Two other patients were treated for serious injuries, while the final patient sustained minor injuries. All injured patients were treated on scene by the dedicated medical team before being transported to a nearby hospital for urgent and continued medical care.
The scene was a challenging environment, demanding intricate coordination between all responding departments. Personnel from the Fire Department worked tirelessly to secure the wreckage and assist with any possible extrication, while the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) managed the overwhelming traffic disruption.
The collision has severely compromised the north- and southbound flow of traffic, with the emergency lane and the left lane currently obstructed. Motorists are advised to expect potential delays and, where possible, to use alternative routes until the scene has been fully cleared. Law enforcement authorities are on-site and have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the exact cause of this catastrophic crash.
Multi-vehicle collision on the N2 national highway, Cane Fields just north of the R102 intersection, Empangeni area.https://t.co/mwOb67LDJ0#ArriveAlive #RoadSafety @kznpvt pic.twitter.com/muM7xUj0v0
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 16, 2025
