Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

This is the moment astonished drivers pull over to avoid a plane making an emergency landing on a motorway.

The light aircraft crash-landed on the R11 highway near the town of Stellenbosch in south-western South Africa earlier this week.

Footage filmed by one road user shows how the small plane comes hurtling towards cars, forcing them to pull over onto the side of the road.

Video filmed in the aftermath of the landing shows how the light aircraft was left heavily damaged, although the pilots were apparently able to exit the cockpit.

The Municipality of Stellenbosch issued a statement reading: “A light aircraft has made an emergency landing on the R44 close to Winery Road.

“No fatalities or injuries reported.

“All emergency services have arrived at the scene. Please avoid the area if possible. Traffic will be diverted at the Annandale Intersection.”

Local media reported that the two male pilots were assessed by medics.

One reportedly sustained serious injuries, while the other escaped with minor injuries.

They were treated and given pain relief before being taken to Mediclinic Stellenbosch for urgent care. They were not named in local reports.

The incident comes a day after a pilot was killed when his plane spiralled out of control before crashing in front of spectators during an air display exercise at Charles Prince Airport in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Footage of the earlier incident shows how the small stunt plane performs an impressive roll as it whizzes past spectators.

But then, shortly after gaining altitude moments later, it enters a rapid spin, causing spectators to gasp in horror.

The plane can then be seen falling from the air and landing on a field with a thud.

The dead pilot was named as South African Mark Sampson of the Marksmen Aerobatic Team, “a civilian formation aerobatic display team, based in South Africa and operating globally”.