Eighteen people were injured in a head-on collision between two taxis travelling along Grasmere road on Wednesday morning, Johannesburg emergency services said.
Percy Morokane said a man in his 40s had to be extricated from the wreckage with the jaws of life.
He suffered serious injuries, particularly to the lower part of his body.
Seven ambulances were used to ferry the injured to Sebokeng Hospital and to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Traffic in the area was severely disrupted.
Further afield, a woman was killed by a speeding taxi on Main Reef Road at about 05:30, he said.
It took the driver at least half a kilometre to stop after the “gruesome” accident, Morokane said.
Police have taken over the investigation in that case and will focus on negligent and reckless driving.
– SAPA