First responders to a hijacking incident during the early hours of 6 August, were met with a gruesome scene.
A 33-year-old Uber driver was seriously injured after his assailant threw acid in his face before taking his vehicle. This is the second incident of this nature, happening barely a week after a female Uber driver was hijacked in the same way in Maraisburg.
According to the driver, he picked up a cash passenger at a petrol station just off Gordon Road, Florida and was hijacked shortly thereafter in East Town, on the corner of Middel and Milner Streets in Northcliff.
The first responders were members from SCP Security, who assisted the driver until ER24 paramedics arrived. “The suspect threw the acid onto the driver’s face, neck and arms, causing him severe pain. We tried to attend to the driver as best we could, utilising milk and bicarbonate of soda in an attempt to neutralise the acid. The acid caused severe injuries to the driver’s body and it was very disturbing to see,” one of the SCP responders said.
Read here: Alleged hijacking leaves one critically injured
According to Werner Vermaak, spokesperson for ER24, the driver sustained serious chemical burns to his face and hands. “Paramedics treated him on scene, before rushing him to a nearby hospital for further care. The man was in a serious condition,” Vermaak said.
The spokesperson for the Florida Police, Sergeant Mpho More, said there had been another Uber attack in Florida on the same day, two suspects were arrested. “The complainant alleged that he received a call from a client who wanted to go to Pretoria from Roodepoort.
When the driver arrived at the collection point, two males were waiting for him. They climbed into the vehicle and asked the driver to take them to Flora Centre to pick up their friend,” More said.
While on their way to Flora Centre, one of the passengers took out a screwdriver and hit the driver on the chin, ordering him to get out of the vehicle. “A scuffle ensued inside the vehicle, and the driver managed to hit the hooter and attract attention. The passengers then broke the window and ran off,” she said.
Also Read: Update: Hijacking victim an Uber driver
According to the driver, he followed them and saw them getting into a white Quantum. “He informed the security company and followed the Quantum until it came to a stop. The two suspects were then arrested,” said More.
The suspects will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court. It is believed that they can be linked to the previous Uber attacks.
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