Five people have died after a minibus taxi collided with a Mercedes-Benz sedan at a busy intersection in Waterfall, Midrand, on Tuesday afternoon.
Five fatalities confirmed
The crash happened at the intersection of Old Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive, an area connecting the Waterfall, Midrand, Woodmead and Buccleuch areas.
According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the collision involved a minibus taxi and a Mercedes-Benz sedan. The taxi overturned following the impact and subsequently caught fire.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed that five people had died at the scene.
“Regrettably, five fatalities have been confirmed on scene from the minibus taxi,” Fihla said.
The five people who died were occupants of the minibus taxi.
At the time of the initial reports, emergency responders were still working at the scene and the condition of the occupants of the Mercedes-Benz had not yet been confirmed.
“Fatalities or injuries regarding the occupant(s) of the Mercedes-Benz sedan are yet to be confirmed as emergency responders actively work on site,” Fihla said.
Taxi overturned and caught fire
The severity of the collision resulted in the minibus taxi overturning before it caught fire.
Law enforcement officials and emergency services were dispatched to the scene to assist with the victims, secure the area and manage the traffic disruption.
The intersection was closed in all directions while emergency personnel attended to the crash and dealt with the wreckage.
The cause of the collision had not been established at the time of reporting. JMPD said the circumstances surrounding the crash were being investigated.
Major traffic disruption
The crash occurred during the afternoon peak period and caused significant congestion in Midrand and the surrounding Waterfall area.
Motorists were advised to avoid Old Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive while emergency operations were under way.
Alternative routes included using the N1 via Allandale Road, the R55 and routes around Allandale Road and Le Roux Avenue. JMPD also urged motorists approaching the affected area to reduce their speed, follow instructions from traffic officials and give emergency vehicles space to operate.
Crash adds to road safety concerns
The Midrand crash comes amid continued concern over serious road crashes across Gauteng, where busy commuter routes carry large numbers of taxis, private vehicles and other road users every day.
Intersections such as Old Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive can experience heavy traffic, particularly during peak commuting periods. The crash again highlights the risks faced by passengers and motorists on heavily travelled urban roads.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of those who died, nor have further details about the occupants of the Mercedes-Benz been confirmed.
The investigation into what led to the collision remains ongoing. Further information is expected from authorities as the circumstances of the crash and the identities of the victims are established.
