Johannesburg - The N3 was reopened to traffic on Friday afternoon after two accidents closed Van Reenen's Pass for most of the day, the N3 Toll Concession said.
“The road is completely open, although there are extensive backlogs due to the nine-hour delay,” spokeswoman Andy Visser said just before 4.30pm.
Around 3.15pm the south-bound highway was opened.
From around 8am the N3 was closed in both directions from Tugela toll plaza to Montrose.
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said earlier that four people were killed and 14 others were injured in two accidents on Van Reenen's Pass.
“When ER24 paramedics arrived at the first incident, they found that a truck had jack-knifed across the road, colliding with a number of other vehicles.”
Seven people from a number of vehicles had various injuries, ranging from minor to moderate.
As paramedics took them to hospital, they came across a second accident.
“A large truck had apparently lost control and collided with several other vehicles.”
Four people were declared dead on the scene.
“Seven other patients from various vehicles had sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate,” Meiring said.
Free State police spokesman Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said it was believed reduced visibility, due to morning mist, could have caused the accidents.
Sapa