Photo: Wayne Minnaar / Twitter
Photo: Wayne Minnaar / Twitter
Commuters in Gauteng were left gridlocked, after a bus carrying passengers on William Nicol Drive at the N1 northbound exploded into flames on Wednesday morning. Johannesburg traffic and police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the vehicle was travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe:
“There is a bus on fire on the N1 north. Traffic is be diverted off at William Nicol, past Witkoppen and Rivonia Road. And back onto N1 – as well as the N1 south at Rivonia – to avoid the obstruction.”
Wayne Minnaar
People in taxis are dropping off and walking to the off ramp to catch a different taxi along William Nicol because there's no movement here since 7am.
— Pfungwa (@pwbango) December 11, 2019
Johannesburg traffic latest updates for Wednesday 11 December:
The chaos has caused an almighty jam for the Johannesburg traffic. All lanes of the N1 between Malibongwe and William Nicol have been affected. Northbound remains closed, as of 8:45 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, southband is also gravely impacted. Cars are at a standstill, with very little movement reported in the last hour or so. There are a host of problems on the roads today:
- N1 north latest: Traffic stacking back towards Beyers Naude Drive – exit at Albertina Sisulu / Gordon / 14th Ave for alternative routes.
- Meanwhile, traffic lights are out at multiple junctions in Bryanston and surrounding suburbs until 12:30.
- There’s been an accident on Grayston Drive West near the M1 Highway.
- The N12 west is also experiencing a heavy flow of traffic on Wednesday.
Watch footage of the N1 bus fire here:
JHB – N1 Highway (Update): #BusFire at William Nicol Drive: Northbound CLOSED, Southbound HEAVY pic.twitter.com/NGkw9ebknZ
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) December 11, 2019
N1 South near William Nicol JHB. pic.twitter.com/UyXfgihfM7
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 11, 2019
N1 and William Nicol Drive closed
Motorists have been advised to stay clear of William Nicol altogether. Emergency crews are at the scene and they are dealing with the fire. There have been no fatalities or serious casualties reported as of yet. The only damage confirmed so far has been that of passenger luggage. We’ll have more updates on the Johannesburg traffic as and when we receive them.
