N3 near Ashburton closed after multi-vehicle crash
The N3 freeway heading towards Pietermaritzburg has been closed to traffic in the vicinity of Ashburton.
Initial reports from emergency services say about five people have been hurt following two crashes in the area.
Netcare911's Chris Botha says one of the heavy goods vehicles has overturned - crossing most of the carriageway.
"One of our paramedics was actually travelling up towards Pietermaritzburg this morning when he witnessed a truck on the Durban-bound carriageway going up an embankment and then across the centre median.
"It then overturned and landed across the Maritzburg-bound carriageway of the N3. While he was stopping to assist, a Mercedes came and collided straight and went underneath the truck that was across the highway,"he said.
Botha says a second truck was then rear-ended by two cars about 300-metres away from the initial accident as it slowed due to the traffic.
UPDATE: The N3 to Pietermaritzburg at Ashburton has been re-opened. All lanes are clear while on the N3 to Durban, there's slow-moving traffic.
(Photos: Netcare 911)