Update 11:48 The R555 has been cleared and traffic is flowing normally.

A horrific accident happened on the Stoffberg Road this morning.

Three people have been confirmed dead, six seriously injured and three with slight injuries.

The accident took place 10 km outside of Middelburg on the R555.

It is said that a Colt bakkie collided with a Nissan 1400 from the back.

Paramedics scrambled to tend to all the injured persons.

They were assisted by civilian bystanders who stopped and offered help.

A helicopter landed on the scene to transport some of the patients to hospital.

Frantic family members of those involved in the accident called www.mobserver.co.za trying to find out whether their loved ones are amongst the dead or injured.

The names of the deceased are not known yet.

“We are just sitting here. We don’t know whether to go to the hospital or to the mortuary”  a woman who was waiting for news with her domestic worker, whose brother was in the accident, said.

Traffic is said to be moving slowly at the moment.

See video of accident scene here: Video: Gruesome accident scene on R555