Johannesburg - Two children were among the four people who died on Sunday night in a head-on collision between a van and light motor vehicle.
The collision in which six other people were injured occurred along the N14, about 20km outside Upington in the Northern Cape.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring on Monday said when paramedics and other emergency services arrived they found two badly damaged vehicles on the opposite sides of the road. He said a man, woman and two children - a boy and girl, were inside the light motor vehicle.
"Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the man and children ... they were declared dead," said Meiring.
Paramedics assessed the patients and found that the woman had sustained numerous injuries and was in a serious condition.
In the van, paramedics found six injured people. A woman had sustained critical injuries.
"Paramedics treated the patients, including the woman from the light motor vehicle, and provided the critically injured with advanced life support interventions," said Meiring.
"Once treated, the patients were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Unfortunately, upon arrival at the hospital, the critically injured woman from the van succumbed to her injuries and was declared dead."
Local authorities are probing the cause of the deadly crash.