POLOKWANE – Twelve police officers were injured and a motorist killed when a sedan collided head-on with a police minibus on the N1 freeway in Limpopo on Friday evening.

The crash occurred near the Astron Filling Station outside Polokwane on Friday 28 August at approximately 19:00.

According to police spokesperson colonel Malesela Ledwaba, preliminary information indicates that the motorist was travelling northbound on the N1 when the vehicle veered out of its lane and collided with the police minibus.

The sedan caught fire following the collision.

Motorists who witnessed the crash, together with emergency services, responded swiftly to the scene. Despite the sedan already being engulfed in flames, responders managed to extinguish the fire and rescue the injured police officers from the minibus.

The motorist in the sedan was declared dead at the scene.

The 12 injured officers were transported to various medical facilities across the province for treatment.

MEC for transport and community safety Violet Mathye commended the swift response by motorists, law enforcement, traffic officers and emergency services “who acted decisively to extinguish the fire and rescue the injured.”

“Their bravery saved lives this evening,” said Mathye.

The MEC conveyed her condolences to the family of the deceased motorist and wished the injured officers a speedy recovery.

Limpopo provincial commissioner lieutenant general Jan Scheepers visited the scene and conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased motorist.

Scheepers thanked those who responded to the collision and helped save the injured officers, wishing them a speedy recovery.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing.