Toddler dies in 'road-rage' row
2003-03-17 08:27
Johannesburg - A four-year-old boy was killed in what is believed to be a road-rage incident on the northbound lanes of the M1 highway late on Sunday night, say Johannesburg metro police.
Deputy-director Conel Mackay said the driver of a minibus taxi and a BMW became involved in an argument on the Grayston bridge near Sandton about 23:45 on Sunday night.
Both vehicles drove on to the highway, and the minibus allegedly drove in front of the BMW. The minibus driver suddenly braked in front of the car and stopped in the emergency lane where the BMW driver and a passenger got out to speak to him.
While they were talking, a Mercedes-Benz ploughed into the BMW, which in turn hit the minibus.
The little boy, who was in the BMW, was killed instantly and his mother was seriously injured.
His father and the passenger, who were still outside the car, were also injured, along with the minibus driver. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was also injured.
Mackay said the little boy was trapped in the car and the jaws of life had to be used to free his body.
The injured were taken to Johannesburg Hospital and Sunninghill Clinic.
Shortly after the accident, a bus collided with seven cars near the fatal collision. Four people were seriously injured and were taken to hospital.
Mackay said two northbound lanes of the M1 were closed to traffic and would remain closed for some time.
- SAPA