A devastating crash at the intersection of Highlands Drive and Weltevreden Parkway in Colorado Park, Mitchells Plain, claimed the life of one person after a vehicle burst into flames on Tuesday afternoon.
The busy roadway was cordoned off for more than half of the afternoon.
According to witnesses at the scene, a taxi was allegedly travelling at high speed down Highlands Drive when it slammed into a car that was stationary at the traffic lights waiting to turn. The impact caused the vehicle to catch alight, with thick black smoke billowing into the air as shocked motorists and residents rushed to assist.
Two witnesses who saw the collision unfold said they immediately ran towards the burning vehicle in a desperate attempt to rescue the driver, who was unconscious inside the car.
One of the witnesses said he reached for the driver’s door handle but was forced back by the intense heat.
“I tried to grab the door handle, but the heat was too intense. I told myself I wouldn’t be able to because there was already a fire, and as I turned away, the car was engulfed in flames,” he said.
He said watching the vehicle become consumed by flames left him devastated.
“This guy, I believe he is an e-hailing driver, you could see, was law-abiding because he stopped at the robot and he wore his seatbelt. This is a big problem we have on this road with the taxis. They have no respect. They overtake drivers just to get customers, and they drive so fast. I wish something could be done about this road,” he said.
The witness said that at this time he glanced across the road and saw the taxi driver having a fit. He was taken away by ambulance, along with a minor female.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly after the collision.
City of Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson Nolusindiso Piyose confirmed the fatal incident.
“The City’s Traffic Service can confirm an incident in which a vehicle caught alight because of a motor vehicle accident at Weltevreden Way and Highlands Drive. One person died,” Piyose said.
Firefighters from Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu responded to extinguish the blaze and assist emergency personnel.
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said: “At approximately 14:25 on Tuesday, 7 July, the Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a motor vehicle alight on the corner of Highlands Drive and Weltevreden Way.
“Crews from Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu were dispatched to the scene. An adult male and female minor were treated by Metro EMS on scene and taken to a nearby medical facility.
“A second adult male sustained fatal burn wounds.”
“The scene was handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation,” Carelse said.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
