Five people have been killed after a bus lost control and veered off the R56 near Umzimkhulu on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

The cause of the crash is not known at this stage and is being investigated by police.

KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services Spokesperson Robert McKenzie says forty-two other people were injured.

He says they have been taken to nearby hospitals for further medical care.

“There has been a serious and tragic crash on the R56 near Rietvlei. A bus left the road and crashed leaving five people fatally injured. Paramedic treated 42 patients at the scene of the crash for various injuries ranging from critical to minor. They have all been transported to a nearby hospital for continued medical care. The exact cause of this specific accident is not known at this stage and is being investigated by police,” says McKenzie.