Three people were killed and five injured in a head-on collision on the Watson Highway in Tongaat yesterday evening.

Netcare 911 paramedics arrived at the scene to find one of the cars had burst into flames on impact with two people trapped in the wreckage. Tragically they died on scene due to their extensive injuries.

Two others sustained critical injuries while three people were in a serious condition.

One of the critically injured went into cardiac arrest at the scene, paramedics worked fervently for about thirty minutes to try and resuscitate the 39-year old man. Despite all their efforts the man was declared dead on scene bringing the death toll to three.

The other four were stabilised then transported to local hospitals.

Exact detail to the cause of the accident and preceding events still remain a subject for police investigation.