A fatal truck accident has resulted in the complete closure of the N3 in both directions between London Road and Modderfontein, causing severe traffic congestion as emergency teams work to clear the scene.
The accident involved a truck transporting a shipping container and a private motor vehicle. According to authorities, the truck suffered a tyre failure, causing the driver to lose control. The driver was declared dead at the scene.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said the accident scene remained active, with debris and wreckage scattered across the northbound carriageway.
He explained that the wreckage had spilled into the far-right lane, requiring extensive clearance operations and forensic investigations.
The crash also severely damaged an overhead utility pole, leaving it structurally compromised and hanging dangerously over the southbound carriageway.
Fihla said all southbound lanes had been closed while emergency maintenance crews worked to safely dismantle and remove the damaged pole.
He warned that the N3 would remain closed in both directions for a considerable period to allow emergency teams to clear the wreckage, restore structural safety and secure the damaged overhead pole.
As a result, northbound traffic is being diverted off the N3 at Modderfontein Road, while southbound motorists are being diverted at London Road.
Motorists have been strongly advised to avoid the affected N3 corridor between the Gillooly’s and Marlboro interchanges.
Alternative routes include the M1 Highway, R24 Highway, Pretoria Main Road (R101) and Modderfontein Road (R25).
Fihla cautioned that severe traffic congestion was already affecting surrounding arterial roads and appealed to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with emergency personnel.
Authorities have urged road users to avoid the affected area while emergency teams continue working to clear and secure the scene.
