South Africa
Young truck driver involved in Durban pile-up arrested─── 17:57 Tue, 07 Mar 2023
The 23-year-old driver of a side-tipper truck that was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the M41 in Durban on Monday, 6 March 2023, was arrested after he surrendered himself to the police.
The truck crashed into at least 49 vehicles in peak hour traffic, injuring 22 people, of whom three were in critical condition.
The truck veered off the road and overturned a few hundred metres from the crash site. The truck driver fled the scene after the crash.
According to The South African, the spokesperson for the police in KwaZulu Natal, Thenjiswa Ngcobo, said the driver handed himself in on Monday night and will soon appear in court on charges of reckless and negligent driving.
The provincial Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, counted a total of 49 vehicles that were involved, reports SABC News. Three people, including a pregnant woman, were rushed to hospital for urgent care following the crash.
Commenting on the crash, MEC Sipho Hlomuka said the accident was unnecessary and could have been avoided.
"We have ordered an investigation so that those responsible could be held accountable. As a government, we have a targeted programme focusing on trucks," he said.
ALSO READ: Minstens 47 voertuie betrokke by M41-kettingbotsing
Hlomuka said there was a growing challenge with the behaviour of tipper truck drivers. "We will continue engaging with the freight and logistics sector to adhere to the laws.
"We also wish a speedy recovery to all those affected by this accident, including those who suffered trauma and physical injuries."
