Rapid response to clear crash with hazmat spill on N1 between Hanover and Richmond

March 14, 2022

A crash involving two heavy vehicles on the N1 section 10, between Hanover and Richmond, which resulted in the road being closed for most of yesterday, has been cleared in the early morning hours and the road re-opened to traffic.

While no injuries were sustained by any of the drivers, the safety risk was significantly compounded as one of the trucks were carrying Sodium Hypochlorite, a toxic and corrosive substance, which spilled onto the road surface.

Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) clean-up teams, including hazardous material spillage experts, were on site and worked tirelessly to contain and remove the hazardous material (hazmat) to prevent significant pavement damage and risk to road users.

All relevant Road Incident Management System (RIMS) role-players were activated in record time and through a well-coordinated communications operation, traffic was diverted and accommodated via alternative routes. The N1 was closed at Three Sisters at the N12 turn-off and traffic was redirected onto the N12 towards Victoria West, through to Britstown,
where traffic was further redirected onto the N10 toward De Aar, to re-join the N1 at Hanover.

“We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the RRM team as well as Provincial Traffic and all Emergency Services for their rapid response. We also wish to thank the road users for their patience and cooperation with traffic authorities during the delays and resultant congestion on the road,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL Western Region Manager.

Northern Cape, 11 March 2022

Advice on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods/ Hazardous Goods https://t.co/8uxpRQVN7d #ArriveAlive #HazardousGoods pic.twitter.com/PHZh7fEUWH

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 15, 2021