Five people lost their lives on the N4 near Ngodwana, southwest of Mbombela, this morning.

The spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), Moeti Mmusi, said this happened when a VW Polo sedan crashed into the side of an articulated truck going in the same direction and overturned on the side of the road afterwards, killing its five occupants instantly.

The driver of a Isuzu bakkie, also travelling in the same direction, crashed into the truck as well and sustained minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured.

“The victims, all from Somalia, include a child and two women. It is not yet clear as to what led to the collision, however, investigation is already under way,” Mmusi said.

The MEC for the DCSSL, Vusi Shongwe, is once more calling on motorists to use the road with heightened alertness to avoid death and injury as a result of crashes.

“Most of these crashes are avoidable. All that motorists need to do is to obey the rules and drive as cautiously as possible.”

Shongwe extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and also wished the injured driver a speedy recovery.