Three people have died, including a seven-year-old child, while four others are in a critical condition following an accident in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Friday afternoon. 

The head-on collision involving two vehicles on the R34 occurred just outside Empangeni. 

According to initial reports, a Toyota Hilux bakkie, which had been transporting school children, collided with a VW polo which resulted in the bakkie veering off the road and overturning. 

A paramedic said the bakkie had been transporting 22 people - mainly high and primary school pupils - while the Polo had four occupants. 

He said a number of children had minor to moderate injures and were being treated on the scene while others had been transported to hospital.

Motorists were advised to use alternative routes as traffic was heavily affected.