Five people were injured following an accident on the R59 by Klipriver near Vereeniging this morning.
Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found that six vehicles and a heavy goods vehicle were involved in the crash.
Upon assessment of all the occupants, paramedics found that three people who were in a critical condition were entrapped in the vehicles. The fire department had to make use of the Jaws of Life to extricate the entrapped patients from the vehicle.
The Netcare1 helicopter has been activated to airlift one of the critically injured patient to hospital for the urgent medical care. Another critically injured patient will be airlifted to hospital as well.
A further two people sustained serious injuries and after receiving treatment at the scene, the patients will be transported to hospital for further medical treatment.
Exact detail surrounding the cause of the crash and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.
Motorists are advised to avoid the R59, as it has been closed down for traffic completely.