Three killed as bakkie rolls in Free State

Johannesburg - Three people died, including a 9-year-old boy, and two others were injured when a bakkie rolled multiple times on the N6 near Smithfield in the Free State on Wednesday, paramedics said.

"When ER24 paramedics arrived on scene, they found a wrecked bakkie lying on its roof in the field," ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

"On assessment, paramedics found the lifeless bodies of a adult male and female as well as the body of a 9-year-old boy. Unfortunately the three patients had already succumbed to their injuries."

Two other people were found on scene with minor injuries.

Paramedics treated the injured and transported them to Pelonomi hospital for further treatment.

"It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll multiple times and ejecting the three occupants from the back," Meiring said.

"Local authorities were on scene to begin their investigations."