A multi-vehicle crash involving two minibus taxis with trailers and an articulated truck claimed the lives of four people around 04:00 this morning, July 23.

The accident occurred on the N4 between the Schagen intersection and the Sudwala interchange.

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The truck driver escaped without injury.

According to Martin Jeffrey of Emer-G-Med, three occupants from one of the minibus taxis were trapped and found burnt beyond recognition inside the vehicle.

“A fourth man was also found deceased at the scene. It is unclear at this stage whether he was an occupant or a pedestrian,” Jeffrey said.

The driver of the articulated truck told Lowvelder that the accident occurred after a blue minibus drove in the middle of the road after losing its trailer.

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The truck driver made way for the minibus and lost control of the truck and crashed into the trailer.

He added that the second minibus then crashed into the truck that jackknifed across the road.

Recovery is in progress and Lowvelder will keep readers updated.

The road remains closed.