MBOMBELA – Five people were killed when a Toyota sedan and a Volkswagen hatchback collided on Monday afternoon (December 27) on the N4 toll road near Schoemanskloof. The five died on the scene of the crash and they were all occupants of one vehicle.

Another three people were seriously injured and they include an 18 month old child.

The injured were rushed to the nearby hospitals in Mbombela.

READ: Be vigilant ahead of festive season

According to the spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison,  Moeti Mmusi, the crash happened when the driver of one of the vehicles, lost control, veered into the oncoming traffic and crashed into the side of the vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction.

“The investigation into this crash is already underway. Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has reminded motorists to use the road cautiously as some people are expected to return to work or home after a Christmas long weekend,” said Mmusi.

Shongwe also warned motorists to be extremely careful amid the wet weather by among others keeping their headlights on and also reducing speed where visibility is low.