Five people – three of them foreign tourists – died Friday in a multiple vehicle collision along the N4 toll road near Schoemans Kloof pass in Mpumalanga.
Four of the deceased were occupants in the minibus taxi and they include three passengers and the drivers of the minibus and the LDV.
Three of the deceased are believed to be tourists from the Netherlands.
Emer-G-Med said when paramedics arrived on the scene just after midday they found “absolute carnage”.
The deadly collision involved a light delivery van, Quantum minibus, and heavy-duty vehicle.
“On closer inspection, paramedics found three occupants of the Quantum, adult foreign national tourists, deceased,” said Emer-G-Med.
“An occupant of the LDV also suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead on arrival of the paramedics.
“The driver of the heavy-duty vehicle was found to be entrapped in the wreckage and the Jaws-of-life were needed to cut him free.”
Emer-G-Med said four others were left with injuries ranging from “minor to moderate”.
The injured were treated and stabilised on the scene before being taken to nearby hospitals.
Police
The cause of the crash is still unclear and the investigation into it is already underway.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has expressed concern over the frequency of deadly road crashes in the province.
The MEC is once more urging motorists to be vigilant on the road.
“We must all play our part in curbing these crashes. Our roads must not be turned into killing fields by reckless drivers,” said Shongwe.
“Motorists should respect the rules of the road and exercise required diligence when they are behind the steering wheel.”
Shongwe sent his “heartfelt and deep condolences” to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
