In what paramedics described as a "miraculous escape", three people sustained minor to moderate injuries after a truck lost its load and tipped over on to their vehicle on the N12 in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Thursday morning.

When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 08:00, they found only the front part of the vehicle sticking out from under the trailer.

Three people were trapped in the vehicle.

ER24 and the City of Johannesburg Fire Department started an extrication process that took more than an hour.

Once the patients were freed, they were assessed and found to have sustained minor to moderate injuries.

ER24, and another medical service on the scene, treated them before they were transported to hospital for further medical care.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident were not known and local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.