An investigation into the cause of the collapse of a pedestrian bridge on the N3 west of Johannesburg on Sunday morning‚ is under way‚ officials said.
The freeway between the Geldenhuys interchange and Van Buuren Road will‚ according to officials‚ be closed in both directions for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minaar said the incident took place at the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The bridge collapsed onto a truck that was transporting sheet metal. It had three occupants.”
Minaar said the three occupants of the truck were injured. He‚ however‚ could not tell the extent of the injuries they sustained.
“There were other two trucks that collided into the wreckage. When the bridge collapsed‚ they drove into it.”
He said the total number of people injured in the incident was five.
According to paramedics‚ one of the injured – a woman – is in a critical condition after having had to be freed from the wreckage of one of the trucks. She was airlifted to hospital in a private medical helicopter.
“An investigation on what happened is under way. We urge motorists travelling to OR Tambo airport to use the Buccleuch interchange‚” Minaar said.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi‚ who conducted a site inspection of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the N3 on Sunday‚ said: “An independent structural engineer is on site and assessing the incident. Until the investigation is completed it is not possible to speculate on the cause of the collapse.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those in hospital. I shudder to think what would have happened if this occurred during peak hour traffic‚” Vadi said.
According to the roads and transport department‚ the bridge was constructed in 1978 and has not been in use for a number of years.
Vadi said the freeway will be re-opened to traffic again once an investigation is completed and when Sanral has demolished the structure.
Motorists are advised to plan their trips by taking into account the anticipated disruption to traffic on the N3‚ the department said.
“Motorists travelling on the affected freeway‚ particularly those going to OR Tambo Airport‚ are advised to take into account the unavoidable road closures due to the collapse‚” said Vadi.
Investigation into collapsed bridge under way: officials
An investigation into the cause of the collapse of a pedestrian bridge on the N3 west of Johannesburg on Sunday morning‚ is under way‚ officials said.
The freeway between the Geldenhuys interchange and Van Buuren Road will‚ according to officials‚ be closed in both directions for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minaar said the incident took place at the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The bridge collapsed onto a truck that was transporting sheet metal. It had three occupants.”
Minaar said the three occupants of the truck were injured. He‚ however‚ could not tell the extent of the injuries they sustained.
“There were other two trucks that collided into the wreckage. When the bridge collapsed‚ they drove into it.”
He said the total number of people injured in the incident was five.
According to paramedics‚ one of the injured – a woman – is in a critical condition after having had to be freed from the wreckage of one of the trucks. She was airlifted to hospital in a private medical helicopter.
“An investigation on what happened is under way. We urge motorists travelling to OR Tambo airport to use the Buccleuch interchange‚” Minaar said.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi‚ who conducted a site inspection of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the N3 on Sunday‚ said: “An independent structural engineer is on site and assessing the incident. Until the investigation is completed it is not possible to speculate on the cause of the collapse.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those in hospital. I shudder to think what would have happened if this occurred during peak hour traffic‚” Vadi said.
According to the roads and transport department‚ the bridge was constructed in 1978 and has not been in use for a number of years.
Vadi said the freeway will be re-opened to traffic again once an investigation is completed and when Sanral has demolished the structure.
Motorists are advised to plan their trips by taking into account the anticipated disruption to traffic on the N3‚ the department said.
“Motorists travelling on the affected freeway‚ particularly those going to OR Tambo Airport‚ are advised to take into account the unavoidable road closures due to the collapse‚” said Vadi.
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