The N4 at Simon Vermooten and Solomon Mahlangu was closed after power towers fell onto the highway. (Photo: Pro Med EMS)
Large parts of Pretoria were still without electricity by Monday morning after power towers, with high voltage cables over the N4 highway, collapsed on the highway on Sunday evening. This also resulted in several collisions.
The Tshwane Metro said on Twitter that the incident blocked traffic in both directions between the Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermooten exits. The road will be closed for the time being.
A preliminary assessment indicates that at least six power line structures have fallen and been severely damaged. It is not yet clear what exactly led to the incident, but a thunderstorm in the area on Sunday evening presumably contributed to it.
The energy and electricity team has done preliminary assessment on the incident and found that at least six powerline structures (tours) have collapsed and are badly damaged. #NjalaSubstation 3/5
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 9, 2023
The power lines connect Eskom’s Njala substation with Waltloo in Pretoria. The Pumulani, Pyramid, Koedoespoort, Waltloo, Mamelodi 1-3, Heartherley, Mooikloof and Wapadrand high voltage substations will each remain down as a result, which means that a large number of residents are without power.
Pretoria – N4 Route (Update): ROAD CLOSED between Simon Vermooten and Solomon Mahlangu Drive (fallen power pylon) pic.twitter.com/RTtuc7D2AD
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) April 10, 2023
The N4 at Simon Vermooten and Solomon Mahlangu was closed after power towers fell onto the highway. (Photo: Pro Med EMS)
Bad weather prevented the metro from paying further attention to the incident on Sunday evening, and teams will meet again on Monday and devise plans to reopen the N4. However, the turnaround time for repairs has not yet been determined.
According to the emergency service Pro Med EMS, the incident also led to chaos and accidents on the road, including two collisions involving trucks.
The incident also led to several clashes. Two people suffered moderate injuries. (Photo: Pro Med EMS)
Pro Med EMS was called to the scene on Sunday evening following reports of a car accident on the N4.
It was upon their arrival at the scene that they found the power line structures across the road.
“Power cables hung very low over the highway which led to a collision between several vehicles,” Pro Med EMS said on Facebook on Sunday evening.
Two people sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital on Sunday evening.
The N4 at Simon Vermooten and Solomon Mahlangu was closed after power towers fell onto the highway. (Photo: Pro Med EMS)
The N4 at Simon Vermooten and Solomon Mahlangu was closed after power towers fell onto the highway. (Photo: Pro Med EMS)
