BLEEDING profusely, a paramedic drove herself to her base after being attacked on the M5.
Coleen Johnson was driving to work along the M5 shortly after 5.30am and was close to the Ottery turn-off when she saw a man walking towards her in the lane. Fearing that she was going to hit him, she slowed down.
“He came to the driver’s side and lifted his arm. My instincts told me something wrong was about to happen.
"He threw a brick and cracked my window open. I was hit on the right side of the head. I bled profusely but managed to speed away.”
She said her attacker continued walking as she drove off.
Blood streaming down her face, Johnson made her way to her base. Her T-shirt was soaked with blood as she received treatment for her injuries.
“The incident left me scared and I was shaking, I didn’t believe that I could make it to work, but I finally managed to get to the base (in Constantia)," she said yesterday.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said a case of assault is under investigation, but no one has been arrested yet.
Johnson said she had always associated such incidents with roads like the N2, N1 or R300.
“I have never anticipated this on the M5. I always considered that side to be the safest. This experience has taught me there is no such thing as a safe place in South Africa. I will always be cautious everywhere I drive now.”
Her husband, ER24 chief operating officer Ben Johnson, has urged motorists to be vigilant.
“The sad reality of our daily lives teaches us to always assume the worst. Because we don’t know what will happen, when it will happen and how it will happen.”
ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said they are extremely grateful Johnson had not been seriously injured.
“The incident is completely uncalled for and we hope that a serious effort is made by the local law enforcement officials to apprehend the person or persons involved. We do not condone any violence against our staff, or against anyone for that matter.”
Hours later after the incident, Johnson posted on her Facebook page: “Coming back from my horrid event this morning, I think this is a lesson to us all. If you see someone wandering around on the road in the early hours or late ones for that matter, anticipate the worst.
"Drive as fast and as far away from them as possible. Don’t slow down or hoot. Look after yourselves.”