Two Killed in Rain-Slicked N12 Crash Near OR Tambo Airport

Two people died in a violent collision on the N12 highway just after 4:00 AM on Monday, November 24, 2025, when a sedan and an SUV slammed into each other on the rain-slicked Comaro on-ramp heading toward Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The crash, fueled by torrential rain and howling winds, left one driver and one SUV passenger dead at the scene — their bodies recovered by emergency crews using the Jaws of Life. Three others were rushed to hospitals, one in critical condition. The timing couldn’t have been worse: it was the heart of morning rush hour, just as commuters were racing to catch flights at OR Tambo International Airport, barely 20 kilometers away.

Chaos on the N12 Amid Deadly Weather

The N12, a vital artery connecting Johannesburg to the economic engine of Ekurhuleni and South Africa’s busiest airport, turned into a scene of devastation. Rain had been falling steadily since midnight, turning asphalt into a sheet of ice. Visibility dropped to under 50 meters in places. Emergency responders from Ekurhuleni Emergency Services arrived within five minutes, but the wreckage was catastrophic. "The sedan was crushed like a tin can," said Maswati Mdluli, Official Spokesperson for the service. "We had to cut through metal to reach the bodies. One passenger was trapped so badly, we lost him before we could pull him out."

By 6:30 AM, the road was fully closed. Traffic backed up for over 12 kilometers. Taxi operators reported passengers abandoning vehicles and walking to bus stops. Airlines reported missed connections and frustrated travelers stranded in terminals. "I had a flight to Cape Town at 6:15," said Thabo Nkosi, a businessman waiting at the airport. "I left home at 3:30. By 4:45, I was stuck in my car, watching the rain pour and hearing sirens. I didn’t make it."

Emergency Response Under Pressure

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, a division of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, deployed fire, rescue, and paramedic units immediately. The agency, which covers Germiston, Benoni, and Springs — a population of over 3.5 million — has been stretched thin this rainy season. "We’ve responded to seven major crashes on the N12 alone since mid-November," Mdluli confirmed. "This one was the deadliest."

The Gauteng Forensic Pathology Services arrived to retrieve the deceased, while three survivors were transported to hospitals in Kempton Park and Benoni. One, a 22-year-old woman from Springs, remains in intensive care with internal injuries. Two others, a man and a teenager, are stable but in serious condition.

Who’s Investigating? And Why This Keeps Happening

The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department has taken over the investigation. Preliminary reports suggest excessive speed and hydroplaning were factors — but no official determination has been made. "We’re looking at vehicle conditions, driver behavior, and whether road markings were visible," said EMPD spokesperson Captain Lerato Mokoena. "We’ll also check if the drainage system failed at that curve."

This crash isn’t isolated. In early November, a similar collision on the N3 near Brakpan killed three people. In October, two teens died when their car skidded off the R21 near Midrand. Each time, the same warning is issued: slow down. Increase distance. Turn on headlights. But drivers, especially those commuting to jobs or flights, often ignore it. "It’s not just rain," said Dr. Naledi Khumalo, a road safety researcher at the University of Johannesburg. "It’s complacency. People think they know the road. They don’t. Wet roads reduce stopping distance by up to 40%. And the N12? It’s a death trap when it’s slick."

What’s Being Done — And What Isn’t

While emergency services respond, long-term fixes are slow. The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), which manages the N12, says it’s scheduled to upgrade drainage at the Comaro interchange in Q2 2026 — but that’s months away. For now, there’s no real-time weather alert system for drivers on this stretch. No variable speed signs. No flashing warnings. Just the occasional road sign that reads "WET ROAD - SLOW DOWN," long faded by sun and rain.

"We’re not asking for miracles," said Mdluli. "We’re asking for the basics: better drainage, proper signage, and drivers who remember that rain isn’t just inconvenient — it’s lethal."

What’s Next?

Authorities expect more crashes. The rainy season isn’t over. Forecasts show more heavy showers through early December. The City of Ekurhuleni has activated its 24-hour emergency hotline: 011-458-0911. They’re urging commuters to delay non-essential travel, especially before dawn. And they’re asking the public: if you see a car swerving or driving too fast in the rain — call it in.

For now, the N12 remains closed at the Comaro on-ramp. A makeshift memorial of flowers and candles has begun to form near the crash site. A single shoe lies on the shoulder. No one knows whose it is.