Three people have died and two survived after a collision between a truck and a light motor vehicle, involving well-known artists near Koppies in the Free State.

Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, said EMS personnel responded to a call regarding the accident on the N1, near the Koppies turnoff, and upon arrival, they discovered a light motor vehicle had collided with a truck. Five passengers were travelling in the light vehicle and two, a male and a female, were critically injured. Three males were declared dead on the scene.

Towa confirmed those involved in the accident were travelling from Gauteng to Bloemfontein on the N1. 

Free State Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, said the department was reliably informed that the accident at about 13:02 on Wednesday (24/7), involved prominent musicians. He said their managers were informed and they attended the scene and went to the hospital to get full details about what happened so that they could tell the next of kin of those involved in the accident.

Social media users are wrongfully speculating about who were killed in the accident. Picture: X

“The department [was requested] not to mention names of people involved in accidents. We urge the public to respect the families of those involved, and let them be the ones to make these announcements,” said Mvambi.

UPDATED: “Contrary to social media claims of death of Ms. Puleng Phoofolo, she was successfully stabilised at Boitumelo Hospital and is alive

The artist Berry Matseletsele confirmed to OFM News the people inside the vehicle, were the award-winning Malome Vector, Lizwi Wokuqala, a photographer known as Da-mos, Puleng Phoofolo, and the driver.

Matseletsele said Phoofolo and the driver survived while the rest were declared dead on the accident scene.

“We have not much to say as we are still figuring out details with the family. As you called, I am on my way to Sasolburg with his brother to identify his body and make other arrangements.  When we heard about the accident we went to the scene. 

“We were directed to the Kroonstad hospital and couldn’t find him there. Later we were told to come this morning (25/7) because he is at the Sasolburg State Mortuary. 

“As we speak, we are on our way to identify the body, none of us have seen him. We only heard from people who were at the scene,” said Matseletsele.

Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg