Two people were killed and one injured after the vehicles they were travelling in collided head-on on Thursday, Johannesburg paramedics said.

ER 24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said the accident happened on the N12, around 13km outside Potchefstroom.

"The driver of a Toyota Camry and a passenger of a Nissan bakkie were declared dead on arrival.

"A third patient was transported in a stable condition to Potchefstroom MediClinic," he said.

Vermaak said paramedics had to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in the Toyota Camry.

"The N12 was closed in both directions to traffic while emergency crews were busy on the scene."

"One lane was later opened to relieve traffic," Vermaak said.