Taxi kills girl, races off
2008-11-25 08:12
Johannesburg - An eight-year-old girl was killed and a man in his early thirties injured when they were knocked down by a speeding minibus taxi in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
The accident took place on the main road of Extension 8 at 18:00.
Erasmia police Inspector Harry Mamabolo said the taxi, a light blue Toyota Hi Ace 16-seater, was travelling at an unacceptably high speed from the eastern to the northern side of the squatter camp when it hit the two pedestrians.
"The driver apparently tried to apply the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop and knocked down the child as she was crossing the road.
"He then drove through and hit another man who was walking on the side of the road before speeding off," said Mamabolo.
Registration
Mamabolo said the residents managed to write down the registration number of the vehicle, WJR 737 GP.
The little girl died at the scene but the injured man was rushed to hospital in a stable condition.
The parents of the dead child were at the scene weeping and too traumatised to speak when approached for comment.
Mamabolo said a case of culpable homicide and another one of reckless driving would be opened.
Mamabolo appealed to the public to assist police in arresting the suspect.
Anyone with the information can contact the Erasmia police on 012-370-1777.
- SAPA