Man Dies After Hatchback With Five Occupants Crashes, Rolls on N17 Near Rondebult Road
A man believed to be in his 20s died after the hatchback he was driving—carrying four other men—collided with a truck-trailer on the N17 freeway in Ekurhuleni, rolling several times before coming to rest in the middle of the road near the Rondebult Road on-ramp.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) said the crash happened in the early hours of Friday, 25 September.
Crash Details: Superlink Rear-Impact on Eastbound N17
DEMS said the hatchback struck the rear of a truck-trailer, also known as a superlink, on the eastbound carriageway of the N17.
Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi said DEMS received the call at 3:30 a.m. and immediately dispatched firefighting and rescue teams.
“On arrival, a hatchback light motor vehicle with five occupants was found to have rolled several times before landing in the middle of the N17 freeway just after the Rondebult Road on-ramp after crashing into the rear of a truck-trailer,” Ntladi said.
Victims: Driver Trapped, Four Men Injured
Ntladi said one male passenger—believed to have been the driver—was found trapped inside the wreckage with severe injuries.
Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
The four other occupants, all men, suffered serious but stable injuries and were transported by ambulance to nearby medical facilities.
The truck driver was unharmed.
Traffic Disruptions and Rescue Operation
Ntladi said two lanes of the freeway were temporarily closed while rescue teams worked at the scene.
DEMS used specialised hydraulic rescue equipment—often referred to as the “Jaws of Life”—to access the wreckage and recover the deceased.
Once the rescue and recovery were completed, the scene was handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and scene rehabilitation.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Five Killed After Minibus Taxi Crash, Fire in Midrand
In a separate incident, five people died after a minibus taxi collided with a Mercedes-Benz sedan, overturned, and caught fire at the intersection of Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive in Waterfall, Midrand.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) confirmed the crash happened on Tuesday evening.
Police Report: Fatalities Confirmed on Scene
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said emergency services responded to the scene of the two-vehicle collision.
“Regrettably, five fatalities have been confirmed on scene from the minibus taxi,” Fihla said.
Fihla added that the condition of the occupants of the Mercedes-Benz sedan had not yet been confirmed as responders continued working.
Intersection Closed, Major Delays Reported
The intersection was closed in all directions, creating major traffic delays in Midrand and Waterfall during the evening peak period.
