Four killed, eight injured in nine-vehicle crash on R555 near Middelburg

Four people died and eight others were injured after a nine-vehicle collision on the R555 near Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Monday afternoon. The crash involved an articulated truck and several light vehicles, authorities said.

What happened

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison confirmed the multi-vehicle collision. Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said the victims were declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

“The victims were declared dead at the scene by paramedics.”

Mmusi said the incident involved nine vehicles including an articulated truck, four light delivery vehicles, one SUV and other motor vehicles.

Sequence of events and casualties

According to the department, the articulated truck was travelling from Middelburg towards Emalahleni on the R555 when it apparently lost control before colliding with one of the vehicles. Several other vehicles then collided with each other and some struck steel that had fallen from the truck.

“It is alleged that an articulated truck travelling from Middelburg towards Emalahleni on the R555 apparently lost control before colliding with one of the vehicles.”

Paramedics declared four people dead at the scene. Of the eight injured, five sustained serious injuries and three suffered minor injuries. The injured were receiving medical treatment at hospitals in Middelburg and Emalahleni, the department said.

Response and investigation

The Road Traffic Inspectorate and emergency services responded to the scene. The department said the investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

“The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.”

Related road fatalities

The department noted this crash comes a day after another deadly collision: six people were killed in a head-on collision between two VW Polos on the R34 Memel Road near Newcastle, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements.

Authorities continue to investigate the R555 collision and have not released further details.