By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) Emergency Services (EMS) confirmed that one person has died after being exposed to cold overnight while stranded in traffic on the N3 highway due to heavy snowfall.
Midlands EMS operations manager, Roland Robertson, said paramedics found the woman in a critical state of hypothermia upon arrival at the scene.
“While en route to the hospital, her condition rapidly deteriorated. Full resuscitation efforts were performed, but sadly, she was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital, “said Robertson.
He also urged the public to take cold weather warnings seriously.
The key N3 highway linking Johannesburg and the east coast city of Durban was one of the worst affected and several portions were closed, with even detours impassible.
Meanwhile, snow-clearing efforts are ongoing along major routes across the province. Led by MEC for Transport and Human Settlement, Siboniso Duma, teams have been working to reopen the N3 and other key roads blocked by snow.
Duma warned the public to avoid travelling on major snow-affected routes to ensure safety.
“Despite small pockets of success in terms of clearing the snow, people are requested to stay away from some of the major routes affected by the snow in order to remain safe,” he said.
More snow was expected with second-highest orange warnings in place for several parts of the country, South African Weather Services forecaster Luthando Masimini said.