BLOEMFONTEIN – One person died and another suffered minor injuries when two trucks collided on the N1 between Winburg and Ventersburg just before 06:31 on Wednesday.

The crash caused a chemical spillage on the road surface, forcing authorities to close the highway and divert traffic.

One of the truck drivers died at the scene while the other sustained minor injuries.

Law enforcement closed the N1 between Kroonstad and Winburg, diverting traffic onto the R708 to Theunissen.

The spillage spread 50 m in all directions from the crash site. Authorities are urging the public to stay at least 300 m away from the affected area at all times.