Eleven people died in Mpumalanga on Friday as a result of a head-on collision between a truck and a bakkie, police said.
Superintendent Abie Khoabane said many of the bodies were burnt because the truck caught fire, setting the veld ablaze where the bodies lay strewn.
The accident occurred at 4pm on the N11 between Hendrina and Ermelo.
It is believed the truck was overtaking another vehicle when it collided head-on with the bakkie, Khoabane said. ”Nine passengers on the back of the bakkie were thrown all over the veld and died.”
The veld fire caused by the crash charred the bodies.
The bakkie driver, aged 20, also died. The blazing body of the truck driver was burnt beyond recognition, bringing the number of dead to 11, Khoabane said.
Two of the bakkie’s passengers, one of them a woman aged 20 travelling in the cab, survived and were taken to the Ermelo Hospital.
All those on the bakkie were from Silicon Melters in Rustenburg, said Khoabane.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened. — Sapa