Guinea fowl takes down Mustang on N17 highway between Holfontein and Trichardt

A guinea fowl carcass wreaked havoc on a black and yellow Mustang on the N17-tollroad between Holfontein and the Trichardt turn off on Friday, 9 February.

According to Mr Kosie van der Merwe, owner and driver of the vehicle, he was taking his five-year old son, Gertjie, to school when the bird slammed into the front windshield.

“I was driving at about 120km/h when noticed the birds crossing the extremely busy road. An oncoming lorry knocked one of the guinea fowl which then came flying through the air and struck the top of the windshield, ripping of the rear view mirror in the process.”

The carcass penetrated the glass, splashing blood, gore and glass over Mr Van der Merwe and Gertjie. The bird’s insides were splayed over the back seat of white leather.

Mr Van der Merwe said his son was traumatised, because he did not see the impact coming. “It sounded like a gunshot and the next minute Gertjie saw the left side of my body full of blood.

The traffic was so hectic; I could not swerve or pull off the road. When we finally did manage to stop, we were both shaken.

I realised if the guinea fowl struck the window a fraction more to the right, it would have ended up in my face.”

According to Mr Van der Merwe there is quite some damage to his car.

“The roof upholstery is shredded, the windshield must be replaced, some wires have been ripped out and the leather seats were soiled and had to be treated to prevent staining.”

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