One man was killed and four others injured when a police van and a motorbike collided on the R102 between Umhlali and Shakaskraal early this morning.

The driver of the motorbike was killed on impact and his passenger critically injured when he was thrown about 50 meters into the dense bush on the side of the road.

When emergency services arrived they heard his cry for help, searched the bush, and discovered the injured man.

Netcare911 and Rapid Care paramedics put him on a ventilator and took him to Nkosi Albert Luthuli hospital.

Rapid Care’s Paul Herbst said if the man had not called for help they would not have immediately known he was there.

“The Mapumulo police van flipped onto its roof, and the three occupants sustained serious injuries.

“When we arrived the motorbike was on fire. KwaDukuza fire department put out the blaze,” said Herbst.

Initial reports indicate that the motorbike may have been trying to overtake a truck just before 6am when the accident occurred, but this will be subject to police investigation.

The road between Umhlali and Shakaskraal will remain closed until the accident scene can be cleared.