Of course the real reasons for this fatal crash will probably never be known but all the evidence points to the fact that an act of showmanship was the probable cause of this gruesome accident.

The proud owner of a new car was killed with three of his neighbours’ children when his car was sliced in half when he crashed while taking them for a drive to show off his new wheels.

The 39-year-old man’s 10-year-old son was also in hospital fighting for his life after the accident on a curve near the Dros restaurant in the Mpumalanga city of Middelburg.

Police spokesperson Captain Khanyisile Zwane said that Joe Majajula, had just bought the Golf 7 on Friday.

”He had not even registered it at the municipality yet because it was too late,” she said, as she told of the tragedy.

At around 20:30 he took his son and three of the neighbours’ children, two girls and a boy aged 5, 10 and 7, for a drive.

”The three children from the neighbours all died,” said Zwane.

Majajula was taken to hospital, but died.

His son was in a critical condition in hospital on Saturday.

”He must have lost control and hit the tree,” said Zwane.

Spokesperson for ER24 paramedics, Russel Meiring, said the children had been trapped in the vehicle for some time before they could be freed.