An investigation is underway following a fatal multi-vehicle crash on the M7 near Bellair, south of Durban, on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene near the N2 interchange, where a truck transporting what is believed to be copper plates reportedly lost control. According to ALS Paramedics, the truck collided with four vehicles before overturning and landing on top of a car.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said emergency crews arrived to find both the truck driver and the driver of the crushed vehicle trapped in the wreckage.
Two other occupants sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
“The eThekwini Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to free the truck driver, who was later transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries,” Jamieson said.
He added that rescue teams were forced to use a heavy-duty tow truck to lift the overturned trailer and its load before paramedics could gain access to the trapped vehicle.
“Once access was gained, paramedics discovered a woman believed to be in her 50s who had sustained fatal injuries. She was declared dead at the scene,” he said.
The scene was later handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation.
The Durban-bound lanes of the M7 remained closed for several hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the wreckage.