AN OUT-OF-CONTROL articulated truck barrelled into another truck and five cars on Durban's M7 beneath the N2 bridge yesterday, leaving five people injured, two of them seriously.

"It is thought that the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle after travelling on the M7 towards South Coast Road. The heavy goods vehicle ploughed into the crowded intersection, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake," said Jeff Wicks of Netcare 911.

The truck finally came to rest at the roadside after mounting the Armco barrier before the cab caught fire.

Smoke rose from the charred cabin as eThekwini metro firefighters doused the flames. Debris marking the path of the speeding truck lined the roadway.

In the aftermath an articulated truck, which was carrying a load of scrap metal, lay on its side. A silver VW Golf 6 that had been sideswiped by the truck stood in the intersection.

"A woman and child who had been in the car were uninjured. A blue Toyota Corolla lay wedged against a creosote sign pole.

"The driver and passenger were treated and stabilised by paramedics on the scene before they were taken to hospital by Netcare 911 ambulance. They suffered head and spinal trauma, with the driver also suffering a fractured arm," Wicks said.

Two bakkies and another light motor vehicle were also smashed by the truck when it barged into the junction, he said.

Traffic on the M7 was severely obstructed while emergency service personnel and recovery experts cleared the scene. Motorists were advised to use other routes.