Four people have died and eight others were injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving nine vehicles, including an articulated truck, on the R555 near Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Monday afternoon.
The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison confirmed the crash.
Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said the victims were declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
He said it is alleged that an articulated truck travelling from Middelburg towards Emalahleni on the R555 apparently lost control before colliding with one of the vehicles.
“Several other vehicles then collided with each other and further crashed into steel that had fallen from the truck.”
Mmusi said five people sustained serious injuries, while three others suffered minor injuries.
“The injured are receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals in Middelburg and Emalahleni.”
He confirmed that the crash involved nine vehicles, including an articulated truck, four light delivery vehicles, one SUV and other motor vehicles.
“The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway,” he said.
The latest tragedy comes a day after six people were killed in a head-on collision involving two VW Polo vehicles on the R34 Memel Road near Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.
The crash occurred between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements.
Departmental spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), which responded to the scene, reported that one of the VW Polos caught fire after the impact.
According to Sibiya, two occupants in the first vehicle were trapped and burnt to death, while four people travelling in the second vehicle also died. One survivor was transported to hospital.
“It is suspected that two victims travelling in this VW Polo were entrapped and perished instantly.”
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Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
