Polokwane - Three people were burnt beyond recognition when a car caught alight in a pile-up involving more than eight vehicles between Tzaneen and Polokwane, in Limpopo, on Monday morning, police said.
The three people would be identified using the available official records, said Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
“As of now we can confirm three people have died, and one vehicle, among those involved in the accident, caught alight,” he said.
The road between Polokwane and Tzaneen, the R71 along George's Valley, had been closed as a result of the accident.
Ngoepe said prior to the pile-up, one of the vehicles involved had already been in an accident.
“Ambulances responded immediately. While emergency services were on scene another vehicle, at a very high speed, collided into the first vehicle, then a pile-up followed,” Ngoepe said.
Ambulances and towing services were among the vehicles involved.
The police were still on the scene, and the exact number of injuries and fatalities would be confirmed later, Ngoepe said.
“We therefore request motorists either from Polokwane or Tzaneen to utilise either Magoebaskloof or Mooketsi roads as alternative routes,” he said.
Sapa