Three people died Monday in a collision involving a bakkie and a heavy-duty truck along the N3 in Harrismith.
When Emer-G-Med paramedics arrived they found a Toyota Hilux wedged under a heavy-duty vehicle.
Five occupants of the Toyota Hilux were still trapped inside the wreckage.
“Three occupants were found to have sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased,” said a paramedic on the scene.
Two others were found in critical condition and had to be treated while trapped inside the vehicle.
“Emergency care practitioners worked fervently to stabilise them, using numerous advanced life support intervention techniques,” the paramedic said.
Rescue technicians eventually freed those trapped inside the vehicle using the Jaws-of-life.
The injured were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals.
The driver and an occupant of the heavy-duty vehicle were both injured. They were treated on the scene and taken to hospital.
Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, one person died on Sunday evening after a runaway truck crashed into his car along the N2 eastbound.
Initial reports suggest that the truck brakes failed before it crashed into three cars at an intersection.
EMER-G-MED Paramedics on the scene estimated that the crash occurred before 5 pm.
A man thought to be 35-years-old was killed in the collision, a paramedic said.
“Two other motorists suffered moderate injuries and were treated and stabilised before being taken to a nearby hospital for further care,” said the paramedic.
Police were at the scene.
