A woman was burnt to death and another suffered serious burn wounds in an accident involving four trucks and five other vehicles on the N3 on Monday, Ekurhuleni metro police said.

"A woman burnt to death in her car while a passenger who was also on fire managed to jump off and was assisted by other motorists," said Inspector Wilfred Kgasago.

The accident happened near the Van Buuren Road offramp in Bedfordview.

A 40-year-old truck driver, transporting steel used for the manufacturing of coins, said he was trying to avoid a car obstructing him when he collided into several cars.

"He hit five cars and three trucks, two of which were petrol tankers. All the cars, except for the petrol tankers which were ahead, caught fire because of the impact," said Kgasago.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman said a 27-year-old woman was treated for multiple injuries including neck and spinal injuries, a fractured collar bone and very serious burns.

"She had sustained approximately 70 percent to her body comprising of second and third degree burns. She was attended to by the first arriving Netcare 911 paramedic," said Dollman.

"She was in a critical condition and analgesic medication was administered by the paramedic in an attempt to reduce her severe pain levels."

Dollman said the woman was taken to the Charlotte Maxeke (Johannesburg General hospital) and will possibly be transferred to the specialist burns unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital.

There were other injures reported on the scene but Dollman said he could not confirm how many other victims were transported to other hospitals. Police could only confirm two people who were taken to Bedfordview clinic and Germiston hospital with slight injuries.

Kgasago said traffic, which had been backed up since 7.30am when the accident occurred, was being diverted to alternative routes at around 11.30am.

"Some motorists which were stuck on the freeway were being moved back to the Van Buuren offramp. Our officers are guiding the traffic."

He said the road was still closed to traffic and sand was being poured over the oil and diesel that was spilled during the collision.

He said the road would not be opened until the truck, which was still blocking the freeway, was moved.

Sapa

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