WATCH- CCTV Captures Tragic Collision that Claimed Two Lives in Durban CBD as Car Runs Red Light into Truck

Durban, South Africa – A devastating crash at a busy intersection in Durban's Central Business District (CBD) early Friday morning has left two men dead after their vehicle collided with a truck, according to newly released CCTV footage capturing the fatal moment.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. on October 31, 2025, at the intersection of Anton Lembede and Stewart Simelane Streets. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where they encountered severe wreckage from the high-impact collision.

According to the surveillance video obtained from local authorities, the sequence of events unfolded rapidly during peak morning traffic. As the traffic signal turned green for northbound vehicles on Anton Lembede Street, a line of cars and a large delivery truck began accelerating through the intersection. At that precise moment, a light motor vehicle – identified as a sedan – approached from the eastbound lane on Stewart Simelane Street.

The sedan, traveling at an estimated speed well above the posted 60 km/h limit, failed to stop at its red light. It barreled into the intersection at full throttle, striking the side of the truck in a direct T-bone maneuver. The force of the impact caused the sedan to become lodged beneath the truck's undercarriage, crumpling the car's frame and ejecting debris across the roadway. The truck, which was hauling general freight, sustained significant damage to its midsection but remained upright, blocking part of the intersection for over two hours.

Paramedics from Advanced Life Support (ALS) arrived within minutes of the 5:45 a.m. call. Upon assessment, they pronounced both occupants of the sedan dead at the scene. The victims, estimated to be men in their mid-thirties based on preliminary identification, suffered catastrophic injuries consistent with the high-speed nature of the crash. No other injuries were reported among drivers or pedestrians in the vicinity, though the truck driver was treated for minor shock and released on-site.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) eThekwini Traffic Unit has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Initial analysis of the CCTV footage points to the sedan's red-light violation and excessive speed as primary contributing factors. Officers cordoned off the intersection for forensic examination, including skid mark measurements and vehicle data recorder downloads, to reconstruct the timeline accurately. The truck driver, a 42-year-old local resident with over 15 years of commercial driving experience, provided a statement confirming he had the green light and no prior warning of the approaching sedan.

This collision marks the third fatal road incident in Durban's CBD within the past month, highlighting ongoing concerns about traffic enforcement during early rush hours. The intersection, a key artery for commuters and freight movement, features multiple CCTV cameras and signal controls, which proved instrumental in capturing the event without delay.

ALS spokesperson noted that the rapid response time – under four minutes – underscored the effectiveness of Durban's emergency network, though the outcome remained unavoidable given the impact's severity. Cleanup crews from the eThekwini Municipality cleared the site by 8:30 a.m., restoring partial traffic flow, while full reopening occurred by mid-morning.

SAPS has urged drivers to adhere strictly to traffic signals and speed limits, especially in high-density urban zones like the CBD, where visibility can be compromised by early fog or glare. Further details from the investigation, including formal victim identification and potential charges related to reckless driving, are expected within the coming days.

The release of the CCTV footage serves as a stark reminder of road safety protocols, with authorities planning to integrate it into public awareness campaigns targeting light vehicle operators.