Horrific scenes greeted emergency workers when they responded to a crash on the M17 that claimed 15 lives this morning, following a head-on collision between a bus and truck.

The accident happened near Rosslyn, in the north of Pretoria at 05:00 according to Tshwane metro police spokesperson Isaac Mahamba.

By 09:00 on Friday, the M17 between the N4 and K8 (Rosslyn Road) was still closed off due to the accident.

“Initial reports suggest that the bus was coming from Ga-Rankuwa when it and the truck collided head-on near the Bundu Inn,” says Mahamba.

When Tshwane metro emergency services arrived on the scene, initial reports were that six persons had been declared dead. However, the number later climbed to 15 with several others injured.

Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso earlier said paramedics were on the scene attending to patients.

“Emergency services are on the scene with multiple patients working on getting more details in terms of the scene and ensuring further treatment and management of the scene,” said Mabaso.

Motorists were urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.