Johannesburg - The N3 was closed in both directions between Montrose and the Tugela toll plaza on Friday due to an accident on Van Reenen's Pass, the N3 Toll Concession said.
Although details were still scanty it was known that multiple vehicles were involved in the accident, spokeswoman Andy Visser said.
Initial reports indicated that 13 vehicles were involved.
“Traffic is stacked, nobody is moving,” she said.
The accident happened around 8am and traffic remained at a standstill at 11am.
Free State police spokesman Sergeant Mmako Mophiring could not immediately provide further details but said it was believed the accident was due to reduced visibility because of morning mist.
He said conditions were difficult for police responding to the accident, and some officers had to walk for kilometres to reach the scene.
Travellers took to Twitter, looking for answers about the delays, while others tweeted photographs purportedly from the scene.
The photographs appeared to indicate that at least one truck and several cars were involved in the accident.
Further details were not immediately available.
Visser appealed to those planning a trip via Van Reenen's Pass to postpone their journey until the scene was clear. - Sapa