Mpumalanga Middelburg R575

(TrafficSA)

Gruesome smash in Mpumalanga leaves 11 dead, seven injured [video]

Middelburg, Mpumalanga, is the latest scene of devastating carnage on our roads. A head-on collision involving a taxi has claimed 11 lives.

Mpumalanga Middelburg R575

(TrafficSA)

A devastating crash on the R575 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, has killed a total of 11 people, after a truck and a mini-bus collided head-on late on Tuesday evening. 

A further seven passengers have sustained “serious injuries” and are currently receiving emergency treatment in a nearby hospital, as more scenes of abject horror played out on our roads.

At approximately 20:45, the two vehicles slammed into each other, causing a devastating trail of carnage and debris on the stretch of road between Middelburg and Bethal.

Mpumalanga crash: Latest updates from Middelburg

Local traffic authorities are advising that motorists avoid the area, as both lanes on the carriageway remain closed. Road safety unit 1SecondLater issued the following update:

“The R575 between Middelburg and Bethal in Mpumalanga remains closed. Road users are currently advised to use alternative routes between the two towns.”

Initial reports at the scene suggested that 14 people have died. However, that was revised down to 11 once medical crews completed their operation. All available emergency units in the area were called to the scene, which also caused several bumper-to-bumper collisions in the aftermath.

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety and Security said on Wednesday that seven women, two men and two children (one boy, one girl) were the victims of this harrowing accident.

The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga say the investigation is already underway, to determine the cause of such a major incident. In the cold light of day, the extent of the wreckage was fully visible: The minibus is unrecognisable from its original state, whereas the cab of the truck is completely smashed in:

Watch: The aftermath of the R575 Mpumalanga accident in Middelburg: