Five killed after Midrand minibus taxi overturns and catches fire

Five people died after a minibus taxi collided with a Mercedes-Benz sedan, overturned and caught fire at the intersection of Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive in Waterfall, Midrand, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department confirmed.

What happened

The collision occurred on Tuesday evening, according to the JMPD. Law enforcement officers and emergency services responded to the scene of the two-vehicle crash.

Fatalities and vehicle occupants

Five fatalities were confirmed on scene from the minibus taxi, JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said. The status of the occupants of the Mercedes-Benz sedan had yet to be confirmed as emergency responders continued working at the scene.

“Regrettably, five fatalities have been confirmed on scene from the minibus taxi,” Superintendent Xolani Fihla said.

Traffic disruption and response

The intersection was closed in all directions, causing major delays in Midrand and Waterfall during peak traffic hours while responders worked at the scene.

Related incidents

The report noted the crash occurred a week after a separate head-on collision on the N1 Ben Schoeman Highway in which three people were killed. Netcare 911 said an SUV and a light motor vehicle were involved in that earlier collision and that a rescue technician, fire and rescue services used hydraulic tools to free victims from the wreckage.

Investigation

The circumstances leading to the Midrand collision are being investigated by the JMPD.