News / Regional
Furious driver speeds and jumps off a moving truck leaving 7 passengers on board
14 Jul 2012 at 04:43hrs | Views
SEVEN passengers In Gwanda cheated death when the driver of a Toyota pick-up truck they were travelling in reportedly jumped off from the moving car in protest over fares.
He left the vehicle to veer off the road before being stopped by trees. Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident, which happened on Monday afternoon.
In an interview on condition of anonymity, one of the passengers said the truck was coming from Maphisa Growth Point in Kezi heading to Gwanda Town.
The passenger said when the driver reached Makwe turn-off near Vumbachikwe Mine, a misunderstanding ensued over the payment of fares. "We boarded a red Toyota Hilux truck that had South African number plates. There were seven people on board. There was a misunderstanding over the payment of fares and the driver became furious," said the passenger.
"He suddenly increased speed and put the car on neutral, removed the keys and jumped off, leaving the vehicle in motion. Everyone was shocked and we thought he was going to die. We remained calm and when the car had moved a short distance he stood up and disappeared into the bush.
"We remained in the vehicle as it continued to move before it finally veered off the road and got stopped by trees in the bush. We called the police who came and attended the scene."
Sgt Mangena said the driver was still at large. "The driver left the car and disappeared and his whereabouts are still unknown. From our report it was not an accident as such because no one was injured. The owner of the vehicle also came and took the vehicle away. He was, however, ticketed for pirating," said Sgt Mangena.
He left the vehicle to veer off the road before being stopped by trees. Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident, which happened on Monday afternoon.
In an interview on condition of anonymity, one of the passengers said the truck was coming from Maphisa Growth Point in Kezi heading to Gwanda Town.
The passenger said when the driver reached Makwe turn-off near Vumbachikwe Mine, a misunderstanding ensued over the payment of fares. "We boarded a red Toyota Hilux truck that had South African number plates. There were seven people on board. There was a misunderstanding over the payment of fares and the driver became furious," said the passenger.
"He suddenly increased speed and put the car on neutral, removed the keys and jumped off, leaving the vehicle in motion. Everyone was shocked and we thought he was going to die. We remained calm and when the car had moved a short distance he stood up and disappeared into the bush.
"We remained in the vehicle as it continued to move before it finally veered off the road and got stopped by trees in the bush. We called the police who came and attended the scene."
Sgt Mangena said the driver was still at large. "The driver left the car and disappeared and his whereabouts are still unknown. From our report it was not an accident as such because no one was injured. The owner of the vehicle also came and took the vehicle away. He was, however, ticketed for pirating," said Sgt Mangena.
Source - TC
