Eastern Cape’s N10 shut down for eight hours after two-truck head-on collision

Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose initially said “snow and panic” made the recovery of the crash site difficult. 

It took authorities eight hours to clear the wreckage and reopen the route, Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed.

The Eastern Cape has been gripped with bad weather and snow in certain areas. And while Binqose initially said snow had contributed to making the recovery of the crash site difficult, he later confirmed that there had been no snow at the crash site. But he said it was snowing further up the N10 near Middelburg, which could have contributed to the congestion. 

“The Lootsberg and Wapadsberg Passes were closed to heavy vehicles for the better part of last night and overnight last night. That may have contributed to the congestion,” he said. 

“The N10 road between Cookhouse and Nxuba [Cradock] was reopened to traffic in the early hours of this morning after nearly eight hours of closure following a head-on collision involving two trucks. 

“The adverse weather conditions and mountain passes covered in thick snow contributed to the delay as the tow truck, big enough to retrieve the wreckage, also had to navigate through the snow. This was further exacerbated by panicking motorists and truck drivers who blocked its path as they were trying to get ahead,” Binqose said.

Emergency personnel had to be called out to the crash scene as well – as one of the drivers of the truck was trapped. Both, however, survived the accident.

Read more: Brutal winter storm slams South Africa: Eastern Cape on high alert with flooding, snow and road chaos

Mountain passes and roads across the province were closed on Monday as widespread snowfall made these impassable. These were:

• The N2 route between KwaBhaca (Mt Frere) and Kokstad;
• The N9 route Middelburg at Lootsberg towards Graaff-Reinet was partially closed;
• The R61 was closed at Wapadsberg towards Cradock was not closed, but traffic was guided through by traffic officers;
• The R58 route close to Elliot was closed at Barkly Pass towards Barkly East due to heavy snow fall. Binqose said this road was slippery and the road is only open to small cars under strict supervision of traffic officers. No heavy vehicles were allowed to go through;
• The N6 route near Komani was still open despite snow at the Penhoek Pass towards Jamestown; and
• The R58 route at Lady Grey towards Barkley East remains open with no reports of snow.

By 6pm on Tuesday, Binqose confirmed that only the pass at Barkley East was still closed. 

Traffic officers were also monitoring the N2 near Butterworth as the area was hit by flash flooding. 

According to a statement issued by the Mnquma Local Municipality, the heaviest flooding was around Skiet informal settlement and Mission Village in Butterworth. 

Loyiso Mpalantshane from the municipality said about 400 people have been displaced and are being accommodated in the Butterworth Town Hall. Other reports received include three vehicles that were submerged and the flooding of the private school Good Shepherd Primary. DM