On December 31st, a series of car accidents occurred on the highway near the Shimentangshan Tunnel in Guangzhou, China, involving multiple collisions between a large truck and several smaller vehicles. The exact number of casualties is still unknown.
A video captured by a car’s dashboard camera circulating online shows the events. Around 2:50 PM on December 31, 2024, on the Huannan Expressway in Guangzhou, traffic congestion started to build up after a truck emerged from the Shimentangshan Tunnel. Many vehicles along the road began to slow down and eventually come to a stop, except for one large truck that not only failed to stop but also grazed the roadside guardrail, causing a cloud of dust to rise.
Another video reveals the aftermath of the accident, with several small cars severely damaged. One black car was crushed under the front compartment of a cargo truck, with its front end significantly deformed. Rescuers were seen at the scene, including an individual resembling a traffic police officer in uniform trying to open a jammed car door. A voice in the video can be heard repeatedly shouting, “Help, please help, call 911… Are there children? Are there kids?” Fortunately, an ambulance was seen not far from the accident site.
According to comments from netizens on the video platform, it was reported that the “driver of the black car is fine, but the vehicle is completely totaled, and the driver is still able to move.” One internet user mentioned that their mother was admitted to the ICU, while their father and grandmother sustained minor injuries.
The incident sparked discussions online, with some confirming the traffic accident that caused a five-hour delay for one individual, resulting in their frozen goods melting due to the prolonged wait.
Netizens noticed that the truck involved had its brake lights off and even accelerated at a crucial moment of the accident.
Speculations arose that there might have been a braking issue with the truck, as evidenced by the driver scraping against the guardrail to slow down. Local residents mentioned the downhill slope leading into the tunnel being a prone area for accidents, especially with heavy trucks struggling to brake on time due to high speeds.
Analysis by some netizens suggested that the truck driver failed to anticipate the congestion ahead and couldn’t slow down in time. They pointed out that the truck appeared to have only a short distance to apply emergency brakes, making it impossible to stop completely.
However, another perspective emerged, with a netizen suggesting that the truck driver’s actions appeared intentional, prompting accusations of possible intentional harm.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance while driving, particularly in high-traffic areas prone to accidents.