A woman was killed and 11 others were injured when their taxi overturned on the M1 highway near Booysens on Wednesday, paramedics said.

ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said paramedics found the taxi lying on its roof and the woman crushed underneath. "She sustained multiple fatal injuries and was declared dead on the scene."

Vermaak said fire-fighters had to lift the taxi with hydraulic equipment to free the woman's body.

He said two people sustained serious injuries and the rest had minor injuries. They were all taken to different hospitals around Johannesburg.

Vermaak said it was not clear what caused the accident and no other vehicles were involved.