SASOLBURG – A tragic accident involving a truck and a motor vehicle on the R59 has left one person dead and another injured.

The crash happened this morning, roughly 10km outside Sasolburg on the road to Parys, causing a fuel tanker to burst into flames.

Fire and rescue officials spent nearly three hours battling the intense blaze. Teams from the Metsimaholo Local Municipality worked alongside the Sasol firm’s fire department to tackle the fire.

Thick, dark smoke filled the sky as firefighters used foam to suppress the flames.

Once the smoke cleared, the scene resembled a movie set, leaving only the undercarriage and the badly burnt horse of the truck.

By the time Ster arrived, the severely damaged light motor vehicle was already being towed away.

Emergency services, police, and traffic officers all rushed to the scene.

Traffic officers managed the flow of vehicles, while police officers controlled a crowd of onlookers that had gathered.

The severity of the incident drew senior police officials to the location, including the Fezile Dabi District police Commissioner, General Makubo.

This is the second fatal crash on the R59 in a week. On June 2, a horrific head-on collision between a bakkie and a gas tanker near Sasolburg claimed the life of a 23-year-old driver.

At the time of publication, the police had not yet responded to inquiries regarding the details of today’s accident.