UPDATE: One dead, two injured after shootout and high-speed chase
HURLINGHAM – Civilians were injured as a result of the collision in Republic Road in Hurlingham.
Police are investigating whether the suspect who died during a shoot-out in Republic Road this afternoon succumbed to gunshot wounds or the impact of the collision.
One suspect was killed and two others were injured while a fourth suspect fled the scene during the earlier shootout on the corner of Woodlands Street and Republic Road in Hurlingham.
“We are going to conduct an investigation into the suspect’s cause of death,” said Gauteng provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tsekiso Mofokeng.
Police who were following information on a syndicate spotted the vehicle on Republic Road. They followed the vehicle because it matched the description of the car they were looking for.
When the suspects realised that they were followed, they started accelerating and sped off.
A high-speed chase ensued and when the driver lost control of the vehicle, it overturned and collided with another vehicle which in turn collided with a motorbike and yet another vehicle.
“The vehicle in which the suspects were travelling, went out of control and collided with another car. This resulted in a car overturning and one suspect died on the scene,” he said.
The gunmen who crawled out of the wreckage opened fire on the police who then retaliated. “Two suspects were arrested as they were trying to flee. They were injured and taken to hospital under police guard,” he said.
Mofokeng explained that they were still looking for another suspect who fled the scene. They confiscated two unlicensed firearms found in the car that was reportedly stolen.
“Three other people were hospitalised because of the collision,” explained Mofokeng. He confirmed that the police are investigating the details of all three suspects, including the one who passed on.
An eyewitness, Sulumane Mohapi, who was digging trenches close to the road, said the crime scene resembled a movie. “We saw them shooting while they were running down the street and we had to hide,” he said.
According to Emer-G-Med spokesperson, Max Cohen, a motorcyclist was in a critical condition after the accident and required immediate advanced life support care. “The biker was intubated and placed on a ventilator before being airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital for urgent specialist care. “A second civilian sustained moderate injuries and was also transported to the hospital for further care,” he said.
Details: Randburg Police, 011 449 9000.
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