/ 27 July 2005

Seventeen injured as truck driver commits suicide

A driver’s assistant was hit by a bullet and 16 minibus occupants were injured on Wednesday morning when a truck driver committed suicide while driving in Randfontein, Gauteng.

West Rand police spokesperson Sergeant Katlego Mogale quoted witnesses as saying they saw a 24-wheeler truck approaching a T-junction at high speed and collide with the packed taxi in Rand Street, Randfontein.

Mogale said it appeared the truck driver had shot himself. The bullet passed through the man’s body and hit his assistant.

The out-of-control truck then hurtled towards the T-junction where it smashed into the taxi.

”Jaws of life had to be used to free 15 passengers and the driver from the taxi,” said Mogale.

The minibus occupants and the truck driver’s assistant were all rushed to Leratong hospital in Kagiso near Krugersdorp. – Sapa