Two Roodepoort policemen were burned to death in the early morning hours while a third had to be airlifted to Milpark Hospital.
The three men were travelling towards Krugersdorp on Ontdekkers Road when a BMW travelling at a high speed allegedly crashed into the back of their vehicle just before Ruhama Road. The passenger in the back of the police vehicle was killed instantly.
A tow truck driver who was nearby heard the impact and hurried to the scene. He tried to free the driver but could not open the door. He then tried to extinguish the fire but to no avail. A member of Dowry security company also arrived on the scene and tried to extinguish the fire but when the heat became overwhelming both men abandoned their attempt.
In the meanwhile the third passenger crawled from the car to safety. Moments later the police vehicle exploded. The two remaining passengers were trapped in the vehicle and could not be saved.
According to a reliable source the brake marks of the BMW allegedly covered more than 40m.
The driver of the BMW was arrested and charges of murder were laid. He allegedly was over the legal alcohol limit but this could not be confirmed.
The surviving police officer is in a serious condition but out of harms way.
