At least 13 people have died following a motor vehicle accident on the N1 between the Verkeerdevlei Plaza and Winburg in the Free State province in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement, the provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport said it is believed that around 03:25am a truck collided with a taxi on the N1, 17 kilometres before the Verkeerdevlei Plaza on the way to Winburg.
Thirteen people were declared dead on the scene, according to the department.
Two passengers were critically injured while one sustained minor injuries and they were taken to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
The south-bound lane was immediately closed and traffic officials had to redirect traffic to avoid long waiting periods for motorists.
Transport MEC William Bulwane was quoted in the statement as saying it is a pity that the festive season has started on such a sad note in the Free State province.
He urged motorists to “drive with extra caution during this time of year since our roads are already extremely busy as we are approaching the peak of the festive season”.
Meanwhile, the SABC reports that the truck driver, aged 47, has been arrested.
Free State Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Sipho Towa told the news channel that the truck drove into the taxi.
The taxi driver is among the deceased. – Staff Reporter