Hijacked truck driver rescued

2009-04-21 08:14

Johannesburg - Police from Welbekend near Bronkhorstspruit rescued a truck driver and his two passengers who had been taken hostage by hijackers.

Constable Monique Vermeulen said police officers stumbled on a hijacking scene, right in front of the Welbekend police station, when they returned from an operation around 09:00 on Monday.

"They saw a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Quantum standing next to a truck. When they got closer the Corolla and Quantum (mini van) made a U-turn. The police officials decided to follow them," said Vermeulen.

The vehicles sped away and the police gave chase. The Quantum turned onto the R25 Kempton Park road.

"He drove recklessly and eventually veered off the road."

When one of the suspects got out of the vehicle with a gun, police shot and critically wounded him.

"The other suspect dropped his firearm and ran away."

The truck driver's captors earlier shot him in the leg when he tried to escape.

Police found the truck driver and two passengers in the Quantum. The suspect and the truck driver were taken to hospital. The driver was in a stable condition.

Police found the truck, which was full of liquor, a few metres from the police station, where members of the dog unit also chased other suspects.

"Unfortunately no one was arrested there," said Vermeulen.

A case of truck hijacking and attempted murder were opened. The police were still looking for the four other suspects.

- SAPA