Four people were killed when a minibus taxi collided with a stationary truck on the P51 road near Kempton Park on Thursday, Ekurhuleni metro police said.

Spokesperson Inspector Mveli Nhlapo said a white truck broke down on the road in the early hours of the morning.

"The taxi driver did not see the truck and he collided with it. The taxi got trapped underneath the truck. [The driver] and three passengers died on the scene."

The jaws of life had to be used to free their bodies. The remaining 13 passengers sustained serious injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. The minibus was going from Tembisa to Kempton Park.

"The actual cause of the accident will be investigated. We have opened cases of culpable homicide and reckless or negligent driving."

The truck driver was being treated for shock in hospital.