• KZN roads saw 25 crashes in one day as heavy rains struck the province.

• Van Reenen’s Pass crash killed 13 adults and five children, with only a baby surviving with serious injuries.

18 people lost their lives in a crash at Van Reenen’s Pass when a truck, minibus and car collided on the N3, killing 13 adults and five children.

A baby was the only survivor and is fighting for life in hospital.

Bad driving, thick mist and non-stop rain all contributed to the crash. The truck driver fled the scene but police later caught him.

The crash was so severe that officials had to close the N3 from 8:30pm on Monday until 3am on Tuesday.

The South African Weather Service had warned people about the dangers. On Sunday, it issued a level 8 warning for storms and floods until Wednesday morning.

There were 25 crashes across the province on Monday, with most caused by flooded roads.

Two more people died in other crashes during the day. Many others were injured, some seriously.

In another incident, 17 people were hurt when their long-distance bus crashed into a broken-down truck near Colenso early on Monday.

Even government officials weren’t safe. Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga was involved in a crash near Ashburton on Monday morning.

Her spokesperson said a speeding car hit her backup vehicle, which then collided with her main car. The MEC was unharmed in the crash.

Some traffic officers meant to keep the roads safe also ended up as victims. Officers from the National Traffic Police were injured in another crash. They were part of a team working in KwaZulu-Natal during the holiday season.

Pictured above: Paramedics on the scene of the crash.

Source: Arrive Alive