Driver’s body burnt beyond recognition

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jan 14, 2014

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Cape Town - A truck driver’s body was burnt beyond recognition in a crash which shut down the N1 outside Laingsburg for 10 hours overnight.

Traffic was backed up in both directions in the early hours of this morning as firefighters and rescue workers battled to bring the blaze under control while the driver’s body remained trapped inside the truck.

Witnesses said two trucks were travelling in the direction of Beaufort West on the N1, when one tried to overtake the other.

“This is not an official version of events, but it has been alleged by people on the scene that one truck clipped the trailer of the other as it was overtaking,” said provincial traffic spokesman Jacques Mostert.

“This caused the driver of the truck being overtaken to lose control. A fire broke out and the driver’s body was burnt beyond recognition. There were major traffic delays, due to the road being closed for several hours.”

Motorists reporting from the scene via social media said traffic was held up for hours. Mostert said there were no other fatalities or injuries.

Cape Argus

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