A would-be hijacker lost his life after his ambush on an alert truck driver in De Rust went horribly wrong.
The incident happened at the R40/R538 four-way stop on Friday night — and this time, the driver made it out alive.
Speaking exclusively to SA Trucker, the long-distance trucker recalled how he had just turned off at De Rust and was heading towards White River when he noticed a suspicious person on the side of the road.
“He looked like he was crossing, but the way he came at me, I knew something was off,” the driver said.
“I eased off the power and that’s when I heard a loud bang on the passenger side.”
Before he could react, the man was already climbing onto the truck — axe in hand — smashing the side window and shouting demands.
“He yelled at me to stop the truck and give him my phone and cash. But I wasn’t about to hand over my life like that. I stayed calm, picked up speed and started rocking the truck slightly left and right to shake him off. I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.”
The attacker kept banging on the glass and holding on for dear life — but eventually, the truck’s movement proved too much.
Read | Truck Driver Turns Tables on Hijacker, Shoots Him Dead Near Heidelberg
“I heard a heavy thump from the back. I didn’t stop straight away — only once I found a safe place to pull over and turn back. That’s when I saw him lying in the road… axe still next to him. He didn’t make it.”
The driver immediately phoned the police to report the incident.
In a country where truck drivers are constantly being targeted by all types of criminals, this one walked away — and the attacker fortunately didn’t.
SA Trucker warns truckers not to stop in suspicious areas, trust your instincts, and always report any sketchy behaviour.
Your life is worth more than your load. Keep it locked, keep it moving, and stay safe, truckers.
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