Six people, including four pedestrians, died when a truck ploughed into five vehicles in Mokopane, Limpopo, late on Wednesday evening, provincial transport authorities have said.
The six deceased also include the driver of the truck and a passenger, who were burnt beyond recognition.
A statement from the office of Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya said one person was left critically injured after narrowly escaping a burning sedan.
"It is alleged that the truck failed to brake at the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Retief streets," the statement read.
??TRAFFIC UPDATE ??Six people have died and one critically injured in a multiple-vehicle accident involving a Truck and five sedans in Mokopane last night. the truck failed to brake at the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Retief streets, it crashed into five vehicles. pic.twitter.com/Gy7md0nrcH
— mike maringa (@MikeMaringa) December 3, 2020
The truck then mauled into "five vehicles in front, lost control and knocked and killed four pedestrians before crashing into a bank building", with the vehicles and the building catching fire on impact.
One person from a burnt sedan was rushed to a nearby hospital after escaping with serious injuries.
"The truck driver and passenger were burned in the truck," the statement read.
MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya extended her condolences to the families of those killed in the crash, adding that she was "worried about the increasing number of fatal crashes where people are even burnt beyond recognition".
As the festive season approaches, she has urged motorists to drive with caution and to always drive within the set speed limit.
- Compiled by Kamva Somdyala