Five people were injured when a Ford Fiesta rear-ended a Fiat Uno on the N1 in Midrand on Saturday, an ER 24 spokesperson said.

Spokesperson Tristan Wadely said the Uno caught fire on impact, leaving a six year-old boy with severe burn wounds.

"There were four people travelling in the Uno, two adults in their 40's and two children believed to be around the ages of six and ten.

"The Uno caught fire after being rear-ended and one of the children, a six-year-old boy suffered severe burn wounds and suspected head injuries and fractures," Wadely said.

The boy was airlifted to hospital.

Other occupants of the Uno and the 27-year-old man travelling in the Fiesta sustained only moderate injuries and were transported to hospital by ambulance, said Wadely.

Sapa