By localnew 
Two people have lost their lives and eight others were injured following a devastating head-on collision on the R33 outside Copeville on Tuesday morning.
According to KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service, paramedics were dispatched to the scene at approximately 08h30 after reports of a serious motor vehicle accident. The collision involved a minibus taxi and a hatchback motor vehicle.
Emergency responders were met with a harrowing scene, with both vehicles sustaining severe damage due to the force of the impact. Several occupants were found trapped inside the wreckage, while others had been ejected or were lying injured along the roadway.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, two occupants were declared deceased at the scene due to the severity of their injuries. Eight other patients sustained injuries ranging from moderate to critical.
Paramedics provided on-site stabilisation before transporting the injured to nearby medical facilities for further treatment. Additional emergency services assisted with rescue operations and traffic management as the road was temporarily closed to allow for emergency response and vehicle recovery.
The exact cause of the collision has not yet been confirmed, and authorities are expected to investigate whether factors such as speed, road conditions, or driver error played a role.
Motorists have been urged to exercise caution when travelling along the R33, particularly during peak morning hours. Authorities have also reminded road users to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.
The incident adds to growing concerns about road safety in the province, especially involving public transport vehicles.