Three people, two women and a policeman, died after a head-on collision between two vehicles on the R540 between Belfast and Dullstroom yesterday afternoon.

According to reports, the accident happened around 17:30, about 15km outside Dullstroom when a police bakkie travelling to Dullstroom and a white Toyota double cab travelling in the direction of Belfast, collided.

A policeman and a woman were in the police vehicle while a young man and his mother, both American tourists, were in the double cab.

Policeman collapses after accident

Witnesses say the policeman exited his vehicle after the accident and called for help. He collapsed and died at the scene after walking a few steps.

According to information obtained by the Middelburg Observer, both women as well as the young man were rushed to the Belfast Hospital.

The American woman was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The second woman died an hour after she arrived at the hospital.

The young American was transferred to the Middelburg Hospital last night for X-rays. He was then taken back to the Belfast Hospital and transferred to the Witbank Hospital this morning.

• The victims have yet to be identified.