Last night, two people were killed and one person sustained serious injuries, with two people in a truck escaping uninjured in a pile-up that forced the closure of the N3 10km past Harrismith in the Free State area.

Two heavy motor vehicles and one light motor vehicle were involved in a head-on collision.

Reports from the scene indicate that a car with a man and a woman inside collided with a truck that had another truck loaded on the back. Exact details are unknown.

Netcare 911 and Provincial paramedics arrived at the scene and found the N3 totally obstructed by accident debris and the twisted frames of the vehicles. After the injured were examined, it was found that a male and female occupant of the light motor vehicle had tragically died on impact.

The seriously injured patient was treated and then transported by Provincial services to a nearby hospital.

The road was officially re-opened shortly before 1am this morning.