Four people were killed and one person critically injured in a single-vehicle accident between Makhanda/Grahamstown and Port Alfred.
The Eastern Cape Transport Department said the accident happened on Sunday.
Spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said the vehicle overturned and rolled about 200m down an embankment, ejecting the passengers from the car.
He said the injured person was receiving medical attention in a hospital.
Binqose said the circumstances that led to the crash are still being investigated.