An attempt to loot beer after part of a truck’s cargo fell onto Sonstraal Road in Paarl on Friday afternoon was stopped after first responders and local authorities rushed to the scene.
According to DFW Fire & Rescue NPC, the truck driver was travelling in the wrong direction and was attempting to correct the situation when some of the cargo fell from the vehicle onto the road.
The crates of beer quickly attracted people to the scene.
A Fidelity ADT officer initially assisted the truck driver, but the situation reportedly deteriorated when people began taking some of the beer. The driver was eventually unable to move the truck and feared for his safety.
The Fidelity ADT officer called police for assistance and also alerted DFW Fire & Rescue.
Several DFW responders arrived within minutes and helped protect the driver and the remaining cargo. By the time they arrived, the truck’s tarpaulin had reportedly been cut open to gain access to the cargo.
Drakenstein traffic officers and additional Fidelity ADT officers arrived shortly afterwards, followed by police.
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Fire and rescue personnel assisted with clearing the road while the remaining cargo was recovered and loaded back onto the truck.
Some of the crates had already been emptied during the incident, according to DFW.
The truck was eventually able to leave the scene and return to its base.
No injuries were reported.
DFW Fire & Rescue thanked the first responders and other role players involved for their quick response, saying their actions helped protect the driver and prevent the situation from escalating further.
The incident is another reminder of the risks truck drivers can face when cargo ends up on the roadside, particularly when valuable or attractive goods spill onto a busy road.
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