Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Four people were burnt to death after their VW Polo crashed head-on with a bakkie and burst into flames along the N4.
All four persons in the VW Polo were burnt beyond recognition.
The horror crash occurred between Karino and Nelsville, near Mbombela, in Mpumalanga earlier on Monday morning, (10 February 2024).
Witnesses said the VW Polo crashed head-on with the white double cab bakkie before it burst into flames.
A third car, also a VW Polo, driving from the Karino direction, crashed into the two wrecks.
The driver of the bakkie was seriously hurt.
The driver of the VW Polo that crashed into the two wrecks was slightly injured.
The charred remains of the deceased were found in a burned-out VW Polo.
Mpumalanga spokesperson for Community Safety, Security, and Liason Moeti Mmusi confirmed the eyewitnesses’ account.
“Four people were killed on Monday morning during a multiple vehicle collision between a Light Delivery Vehicle and two sedans,” said Mmusi.
The spokesperson said both VW Polo sedans were travelling from Karino toward Nelsville when tragedy struck.
“Four of the deceased were occupants in a sedan that initially collided with the bakkie,” Mmusi said.
“The deceased were burnt beyond recognition when the sedan caught fire on impact.”
“The investigation into the crash is already underway although dangerous overtaking cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Mmusi said.
Mmusi said Community Safety, Security and Liason MEC Jackie Macie has conveyed sympathies to the grieving families and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.
