A WOMAN jogger (24) was attacked and thrown over the railings of the Little Amanzimtoti River bridge, near the chimney tree in Warner Beach on Wednesday morning, 25 November.
Eye-witness, Gert van der Merwe was driving towards Warner Beach at about 7.50am, the same direction in which the woman was jogging, when he saw a man grab her and throw her over.
“I couldn’t stop immediately, but drove further on, stopped on the other side of the road and ran to her assistance.”
Toti SAPS communications officer, Capt Charlene van der Spuy confirmed the incident. “The man grabbed the woman from behind, threw her over the rails of the bridge and jumped off after her. According to the eye-witness, everything happened within a split second.
When he looked over the rails, he could not see anything as it was dark under the bridge but he noticed a storm pipe. He started shouting towards the pipe, asking what was going on when the victim came stumbling out and screamed, with her underwear pulled down. The victim’s eyes were closed and it appeared the assailant pepper sprayed her face,” said Van Der Spuy.
Toti SAPS attended, but the victim was unable to give a statement at the time and was taken by ambulance to Kingsway Hospital casualty for treatment.
Injuries sustained by the woman could not be confirmed as she was undergoing medical examination. The assailant fled the scene.
An incident report was lodged at Toti SAPS. Netcare 911 media liaison Chris Botha confirmed the woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
“Joggers and walkers are urged not to walk or run alone. Remember, there is always safety in numbers,” said Van der Spuy.
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