A driver died while another sustained serious injuries following a head-on collision between two articulated trucks along the R40 road in Shatale near Bushbuckridge early this morning (Friday April 4).

According to the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison provincial spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, the two trucks were travelling in opposite directions when the accident happened just after 04:00.

He said the driver who died was travelling towards Acornhoek and the injured one towards Bushbuckridge.

When the Lowvelder spoke to Mmusi around 10:00 this morning, he said the road was closed and that it might take another hour or longer for the clearance to be completed.

“Our advice to motorists travelling between Dwarsloop to Acornhoek is that they should opt for alternative routes such as the Dwarsloop/Thulamahashe road while the accident scene is being cleared,” said Mmusi.

He said the cause of the accident was subject to investigations.

“Bad weather, reckless and negligent driving cannot be ruled out as the possible cause of the accident. We ask all road users to be extra cautious during wet weather. However, investigations as to the exact cause of the accident are ongoing,” said Mmusi.

The driver who died had not been identified at the time of publication.

Many trucks travelling between Mozambique and the mines in Phalaborwa use the R40 road on daily basis.