14:00

LIMPOPO – Transport media liaison officer Mike Maringa has confirmed that the road is now open after it was closed for more than four hours.

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13:30

LIMPOPO – Transport MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya is at the scene of the multi-vehicle collision, which occurred on the N1 south earlier this morning.

“We can confirm that three cars were involved in the crash. The survivors here with us have confirmed they were  all buckled-up. We urge motorists to check their tyres before they leave and to not overload their vehicles,” she said as she revealed it is believed a tyre burst caused the incident.

Lerule-Ramakhanya emphasised that drivers, as well as their vehicles need a rest during long distance travel.

“When you feel tired and that you have travelled a long distance, stop and rest. To those still on the road; let us arrive alive,” she concluded.

Transport media liaison officer Mike Maringa also confirmed that two others sustained serious injuries in the head-on collision.

“It is alleged that a  SUV’s tyre burst and the vehicle then collided head-on with an oncoming hatchback and another SUV. Four people were killed instantly on impact and the fifth died on the way to the hospital. Four of the deceased were in the SUV which tyre burst and the fifth victim was in the hatchback,” he explained.

The road remains closed.

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12:00

LIMPOPO – Transport media liaison officer Mike Maringa has confirmed to Review that four people have lost their lives in the multi-vehicle collision.

The road between Kranskop Toll Plaza and Middelfontein remains temporarily closed, and motorists have been advised to travel on the R101 between Mookgophong and Modimolle.

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11:30

LIMPOPO – Transport Department spokesperson Matome Moremi-Taueatsoala has advised motorist to travel on the R101 between Mookgophong and Modimolle.

“We expect congestions on this road and we urge motorists to be patient with each other. We are deploying police and traffic officers to assist with point duty because it is the 24th of December and we understand that many people are travelling on the N1,” he explained.

Moremi-Taueatsoala added that the R101 will have to carry the burden because of the earlier collision.

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10:30

LIMPOPO – A part of the N1 has been temporarily closed following a multiple vehicle collision on the N1 south.

According to Transport media liaison officer Mike Maringa, the collision occurred near the Modimolle offramp.

“Our officers and emergency personnel are on the scene. We will update shortly,” he added.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that five cars were involved and that there are fatalities. This information will be made known once received.

Twitter users have indicated that cars travelling on the N1 south are being diverted through Mokopane, while major delays are expected on the N1 north.

Meanwhile, motorists are travelling in numbers to the province. Bakwena Platinum in a Tweet said at 10:00, traffic volumes at the Pumulani toll plaza were 1837 (north) and 722 (south) vehicles per hour, while 1706 (north) and  523 (south) vehicles per hour were travelling through the Carousel plaza.