Motorists travelling along the N4 near the Bethal offramp were caught off guard when a sudden hailstorm lashed the area, turning the highway into a hazard zone within minutes.

The severe weather forced several vehicles to pull over and take shelter under a bridge as visibility dropped and the road surface became extremely slippery.

Just after 19:00 a single-vehicle accident was reported on the N4 between the Bethal and Hendrina offramps, where a bakkie overturned amid the dangerous conditions.

Emergency services, including SAPS, Fire and Rescue Services, and TRAC, were alerted and responded to the scene.

The extent of injuries, if any, had not been confirmed at the time of publishing.

Motorists are urged to remain cautious during sudden storms, reduce speed immediately, and avoid stopping in unsafe areas when weather conditions deteriorate rapidly.