South Africa: Heavy Snowfall On N3 Claims Life of a 39-Year-Old Woman

Netcare
The N3 remained closed at Van Reenen's Pass, which passes through the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa on September 22, 2024, as hazardous conditions persisted. Rescue operations continue and alternative roads have been opened.
22 September 2024
SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane)

A 39-year-old woman died on Saturday while trapped in the blizzard that has engulfed the N3 between Van Reenen's Pass, connecting KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.

This was confirmed by paramedic services, Midlands EMS [emergency medical services] Rescue Medics, in a statement.

According to the medical service, the Midlands EMS Howick crews, along with Midlands EMS Rescue Medics, were dispatched to a shopping centre in Merrivale for a person who had collapsed after being exposed to severe cold overnight, while in a taxi stuck in traffic in the snow.

The person was a passenger on the taxi travelling from Johannesburg towards KwaZulu-Natal. The taxi had stopped for refreshments when the incident occurred.

"Upon arrival, it was found that the individual had collapsed and was in a critical state of hypothermia, requiring urgent medical care.

"While en route to the hospital, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated. Full resuscitation efforts were performed but sadly, the patient was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital," reads the statement.

uMgungundlovu District Municipality and its sector departments have expressed their "deepest regret" for this tragic incident.

"We express our sincerest condolences to the family and once again, we reiterate to motorists to exercise restraint now that the roads are accessible to obviate further inconvenience, accidents and the risk of losing lives," the municipality said in a statement.

Midlands EMS Rescue Medics urged the public not to underestimate the dangers of cold weather, and to ensure they always stay warm and safe.

Read the original article on SAnews.gov.za.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2024 SAnews.gov.za. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.