A man was taken to hospital in a critical condition after a multiple car pile-up on the N3 near the Leondale offramp on Tuesday, Johannesburg emergency services said.

Spokesperson Jimmy Maboko said a 26-year-old truck driver, heading towards Johannesburg lost control when a front wheel of the truck blew out.

"In the process, it crashed into a Mazda injuring the driver, then collided head-on with another car — a Honda Ballade," said Maboko.

The driver of the Honda sustained serious injuries and a 36-year-old passenger was left trapped and critically injured inside the car.

Emergency personnel had to use the 'jaws of life' to free the trapped passenger.

Maboko said all the injured were taken to the Natalspruit hospital. The road was partially closed from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Police were investigating a case of reckless driving, he said.

Sapa