The police have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A late-night traffic accident has claimed the lives of five people on the N1 near Bloemfontein in the Free State.
The incident occurred before midnight on Saturday, February 7, with all occupants pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed that responders were dispatched following reports of a serious collision.
“Priority-Care Ambulance Service and several other services, including Mangaung Fire and Rescue, were dispatched late on Saturday evening to reports of a head-on collision on the N1, about 40km south of Bloemfontein in the Tierpoort area.
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“On arrival shortly afterwards [11:00pm]Priority Care paramedics discovered the occupants of both vehicles had suffered fatal injuries following a head-on collision.
“The five occupants of both vehicles were pronounced deceased at the scene,” Priority-Care EMS said in a brief letter statement on Sunday.
The South African Police Service (Saps) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Fatal collision disrupts traffic in the Western Cape
In the Western Cape, a separate fatal accident involving a heavy motor vehicle was reported at the Piekenierskloof Pass on the N7.
The head-on collision caused the closure of the routeresulting in significant traffic disruption.
Motorists were advised to exercise caution and use alternative routes while emergency services worked on the scene.
“Although details are still emerging, reports indicate the collision caused significant disruption to traffic.
“Emergency services are at the scene and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.”
Emergency workers also attended another incident along the N2 in Macassar, where a bakkie fell over.
Two occupants suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene before being transported for further care.
Seven injured in multi-vehicle collision
Meanwhile, emergency services in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) responded to a serious multi-vehicle collision on Madadeni Road near the municipal landfill outside Newcastle.
First responders found extensive damage across the roadway after a collision between three passenger cars.
The force of the impact caused one of the cars to leave the road, roll and come to rest in nearby open ground.
Wreckage scattered across the site prompted emergency services to quickly cordon off the area to reduce the risk of further collisions.
“Paramedics carried out a meticulous triage of seven occupants found at the scene.
“Three patients had sustained serious injuries requiring advanced life-sustaining intervention and stabilization.
“Four patients suffered minor injuries, although they were visibly shaken by the intensity of the crash.
“Due to the severity of the incident and the number of casualties, specialist medical teams worked with Newcastle Fire Brigade and Saps to manage the site,” KwaZulu private ambulance service said.
All seven injured occupants were stabilized and transported to nearby hospitals for further medical treatment.
The cause of the collision is still being investigated by Saps.
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Molefe Seeletsa
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