Updated at 17:21

Five people have been killed and a further three believed to be critically injured in a multiple vehicle collision near the Umtentweni toll plaza, Craig Botha of Kwazulu Private Ambulance Service said.

Botha said – at around 17:18 – that the highway could be closed off to traffic for an estimated three hours.

Traffic has backed up for kilometres as the road has been closed off, for now, while paramedics and rescue personnel work.

South Coast Herald journalist Shona Aylward was on the scene. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life, just twisted metal, It’s insane, unbelievable accident scene – just terrible, terrible terrible,” she said.

This is the second major accident in the space of 24 hours, with two people in critical condition and another two injured in an accident between Shelly Beach and Margate last night. This is a developing story.

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