*This article was amended to add new information after it was initially published.

Motorists are advised to use the Schoemanskloof route when travelling between Mbombela and Middelburg following a head-on collision between two trucks this afternoon.

TRAC N4 posted on social media at 12:21 that the accident occurred between the Waterval Boven tunnel and the Five Arch Bridge, confirming that the road is currently closed in both directions.

#TRACN4route 25/04 at 12:21. #Crash btw Waterval Boven Tunnel + Five Arch Bridge (N4/6X km 12.0E) #Elandsvalley ROAD CLOSED. Travel via #Schoemanskloof. ~YM

— TRAC N4 Toll Route (@TRACN4route) April 25, 2026

Lowvelder reports that one person died in the accident.

Traffic Alert: N4 Road Closed at Waterval Boven Tunnelhttps://t.co/2OEEPi4tTO#ArriveAlive #TruckCrash @LiveTrafficNPC pic.twitter.com/MFgDiSpNWw

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 25, 2026

Trac N4 spokesperson Solange Soares said a truck that was traveling in the eastern direction allegedly experienced brake failure.

The truck had just passed through the tunnel and was travelling towards Five Arch Bridge around midday.

The driver of truck A lost control, swerved into the westbound direction, and collided head-on with truck B, which was travelling on the westbound slow lane,” said Soares.

“Truck B immediately caught fire and burnt out, along with the first trailer attached to the horse,” added Soares.

The source further alleged that one of the trucks involved carries a foreign registration number, while the other belongs to a South African fleet.

The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison said investigations into the cause of the accident are underway.