One person was killed and six were seriously injured on Sunday when a taxi crashed into a road maintenance truck on the M1 south, Johannesburg metro police said.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the taxi crashed into the rear of the Johannesburg Road Agency maintenance truck at 9.30am between the Corlett drive off-ramp and the Athol Oaklands off-ramp in Melrose.

Four agency workers were injured, while the taxi driver and one passenger were injured. The injured were taken to local hospitals in serious conditions, said Minnaar.

"Traffic has been badly affected by the accident. The right hand lane on the M1 south between Corlett drive off-ramp and the Atholl Oacklands off-ramp has been blocked off," said Minnaar.

Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide against the taxi driver.

Sapa