A semi-trailer smashed into a truck after it attempted to illegally overtake a few cars on a Chinese road.

The dramatic video, shot in the city of Ji'an in southeastern China's Jiangxi Province on January 8, shows a truck attempting to overtake a car in front of it and driving into the opposite lane.

After the first car successfully overtook and drove back into its lane, the semi-trailer was still in the opposite lane and did not have enough space to go back. The semi-trailer and truck then collided head-on.

The truck, semi-trailer, two other vehicles and some public facilities were damaged. The truck driver and a motorist suffered minor injuries but were not in life-threatening conditions.

The truck driver was blamed for the incident, according to the police.

The video was provided by local police with permission.