“God really saved my life,” says RTI officer who survived N3 accident

Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer Ntombenhle Madlala (50) said “God saved her life” after a truck rammed into her car while she was breaking down on the N3 between Mkondeni and Ashburton in KZN on Thursday night.

Madlala was in the vehicle and had to be taken to hospital because of her injuries.

Speak with Weekend witness On Friday, Madlala said all she remembers is crying a lot while trapped in the car after the horrific accident.

No one else was injured.

ALSO READ | We can’t return home after traumatic accident, says victim

This is the third time in Madlala’s 17-year career that such an incident has occurred.

Madlala responded to a truck that had broken down in the left lane of the N3 southbound.

She was conducting an early warning inspection and had secured the area with blue lights to prevent further accidents.

My colleague and I received a call for help. When I arrived at the scene, I made sure it was secured, as I was there to protect the scene and prevent further incidents. Then I gathered the relevant information.

“When the incident happened, I was in the car and was transmitting the details of the incident to the radio control. The next moment this truck crashed into me. I didn’t even hear the bang of the truck.

“I don’t remember how long I was stuck in the car. The paramedics got to me very quickly and had to get me out of the vehicle. All I remember is that I was crying a lot the whole time. I was taken to the hospital because my whole body was injured.

“The car was damaged and it is a miracle that I got out of there. God really saved my life. I trust him like never before. I was discharged in the early hours (on Friday). I cannot even walk, but my whole body hurts,” Madlala said.

Madlala is a mother of four children and said her youngest son told her he was concerned about her safety at work.

“My family was very scared when they found out what had happened. My supervisor rushed to my family to inform them about the incident as my phone was damaged and I could not even remember my husband’s number.

“This morning my youngest son told me he is afraid for my job and that they never know if I will come back home,” Madlala said.

Madlala said they feared for their lives because car and truck drivers did not always heed warnings.

My incident site was secured with blue lights and yet the truck driver did not stop. I was told that this truck was driving too fast on the motorway.

“We ask that you respect the traffic regulations. Construction work is currently taking place and we are trying to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Madlala.

READ ALSO | Survivor of mass accident in N3 thanks paramedics who saved her life

KZN RTI spokesperson Sindi KaNgidi Msimang said they appeal to car and truck drivers to drive carefully and obey road traffic rules.

“The blue lights are a warning; you have to pay attention to them. We are the breadwinners of our families and we are also trying to do our jobs and take care of our children. We want people to respect the rules of the road,” said Msimang.