[SOUTPAN] – Head-on collision leaves two dead, another critical.

Two people were killed and another left critically injured this afternoon following a head-on collision between a bakkie and light motor vehicle on the Bultfontein Road, approximately 10km outside of Soutpan in the Free State.

ER24 paramedics, along with Bloemfontein Fire Services and the Free State Department of Health EMS, arrived on the scene to find the wrecked bakkie and light motor vehicle parked on the side of the road. Two bodies were found lying near the vehicle.

Medics assessed the patients and found that a man and a woman, believed to be in their 30s, had sustained numerous injuries and showed no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for them and they were declared dead.

In the bakkie, a man was found lying trapped inside in a critical condition. Bloemfontein Fire Services had to use specialised rescue tools to free the man from the vehicle.

Once freed, medics treated the man and provided him with advanced life support interventions. After treatment, the man was airlifted by a Free State DOH medical helicopter to a nearby hospital for further care.

Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.