A devastating early morning accident on Dr Mandela Drive in Middelburg has claimed the lives of three individuals and left several others injured. The crash, which occurred around 05:18 on Saturday morning, involved three vehicles—a Toyota Quantum minibus, an Iveco bus, and a contractor’s bakkie—at the Cowen Ntuli and Dr Mandela Drive T-junction.
Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a serious collision. The accident caused a full road closure from the Cowen Ntuli T-junction to Samekoms Road as rescue teams worked to attend to the casualties. Eyewitnesses and responders described a chaotic scene, with multiple people trapped inside the wreckage.
According to David Ross from Ross Towing, the crash happened just after the slipway leading from Cowen Ntuli Street onto Dr Mandela Drive. The full extent of the damage has not yet been released, but reports confirm that victims had to be extricated from at least one of the vehicles due to the severity of the impact.
Louwtjie Swart, a contributor to the local Traffic Alert WhatsApp group, confirmed that rescue operations took considerable time, as responders worked to safely remove those trapped and transport the injured to medical facilities. The identities of the deceased have not yet been made public, and the condition of the injured remains unclear at this stage.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Authorities have not ruled out reckless driving as a contributing factor. The crash has once again raised concerns about road safety in the area, especially during the early hours when visibility and attentiveness are often reduced.
Motorists have been advised to avoid Dr Mandela Drive and make use of alternative routes, as the road remains closed to allow for investigation and vehicle recovery. Traffic has been redirected via Cowen Ntuli Street to ease congestion and allow emergency services uninterrupted access to the crash site.
Adding to the morning’s chaos, another separate accident was reported on the R555 (also known as the old Witbank Road), shortly after the train bridge. Authorities have urged drivers to approach that area with caution as well, though details about the second incident remain limited.
As the Middelburg community reels from the tragic events, questions about road safety and emergency preparedness are once again in the spotlight. Local officials are expected to provide more information as the investigation unfolds.
The incident has not only disrupted traffic but has also left families mourning their loved ones. With several people injured and others grieving, the day serves as a somber reminder of the dangers present on South African roads.
Updates on the condition of the injured and the outcome of the investigation are expected to follow in the coming days. In the meantime, authorities continue to urge all drivers to practice caution and patience while on the road.