Man killed in Dbn hijacking

2008-05-09 12:02

Durban - One person died and two others were wounded after a taxi hijacking in Durban's Welbedacht area, police and paramedics said on Friday.

Superintendent Daniela Veldhuizen said the taxi was hijacked in Welbedacht at about 20:00 on Thursday.

"Police were alerted about the hijacking by Tracker," she said.

When the hijackers fled from Welbedacht in the taxi, a man was knocked down.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the man died instantly.

The taxi was later spotted by police in Chatsworth.

"Police gave chase and shots were fired by both the hijackers and robbers," said Veldhuizen.

Chatsworth police student Constable Prem Singh was wounded.

Botha said he was shot in the arm and taken to a Durban hospital.

He is reportedly in a stable condition.

During the crossfire, a female bystander was shot in the back.

"She is in a serious condition at a local hospital," said Botha.

Veldhuizen, meanwhile, said police believed one of the occupants in the taxi was also wounded.

"The taxi was later found abandoned and the suspects are missing," she said.

Police said it was unclear whether the taxi had been hijacked with passengers still inside.

Investigations are continuing and no arrests have been made yet.

- SAPA