Emergency crews rescued several passengers trapped inside a minibus taxi following a serious multi-vehicle collision on the N3 near Hilton on Tuesday morning, which forced the temporary closure of the Durban-bound carriageway.
The crash, involving a taxi, a light motor vehicle and a heavy goods truck, occurred between the Hilton and Peter Brown off-ramps, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours as rescue and recovery operations unfolded.
According to medics on the scene, the taxi and the car initially collided before the minibus slammed into the rear of the truck. The force of the impact left the taxi severely damaged, with the crumpled vehicle wedged against the heavy truck.
The taxi driver and one passenger sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside the wreckage.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service paramedics said a technical rescue operation was launched, with specialised equipment used to free those pinned inside the vehicle.
In total, 11 patients were transported to hospital for further treatment. Four of the injured sustained significant trauma and required advanced life support intervention.
Meanwhile, a mother and her two children who were travelling in the car escaped without physical injuries but were treated at the scene for shock and emotional trauma.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. Traffic flow was gradually restored once the roadway was cleared, though for many commuters, it was a morning detour no navigation app could predict.