A hijacked delivery vehicle in Cape Town was stopped in its tracks by a low railway bridge, leading to the quick capture of the fleeing suspects.
Western Cape, South Africa (24 May 2024) – Crime fighters come in different shapes and forms. Some wear uniforms. Some drive fancy cars. And some are… bridges.
Yes, a bridge!
In an unexpected twist of fate, two suspects in Cape Town found their escape plan foiled by none other than Bridget, affectionately known as “Biddy,” the railway bridge that crosses one of the busy roadways in Muizenberg.
Earlier this week, two men reportedly hijacked a delivery vehicle and were making a dash for freedom. But Biddy had other plans. As the suspects sped down the road, ignoring flashing warning signs, they failed to notice that their vehicle was over the height limit. The truck’s trailer collided with the bridge with considerable force, lifting the front of the truck and slamming the driver’s compartment into the bridge’s underside. The impact catapulted both men into the windshield.
Cape Town’s MayCo member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, recounted the event:
“Earlier yesterday, a goods vehicle collided with the Muizenberg railway bridge. Travelling at an increased speed and ignoring the flashing warning signs their vehicle was over the height limit, the trailer compartment hit the bridge with considerable force. Lifting the front of the truck and slamming the driver’s compartment into the underneath of the bridge, both occupants were catapulted into the windshield.”
Biddy has become somewhat of a local legend, having caused several trucks and oversized vehicles to get stuck beneath her over the past few months. Despite the installation of several warning signs and flashing lights to caution drivers, some still attempt to challenge Biddy – and fail.
In this instance, the suspects didn’t see the signs or heed the flashing lights, leading to their hijacked vehicle being “devoured” by Biddy. Although they fled the scene, armed response officers quickly apprehended them before they were detained by Muizenberg SAPS.
“Dazed and injured, the suspects sat on the sidewalk as a crowd gathered. Observers noticed older markings on the truck’s windshield, indicating it had been recently hijacked and recovered, and booked into the SAPS holding yard. Realising their predicament, the suspects took off in different directions. One headed back towards the main road where a getaway vehicle awaited, while the other fled towards Strandfontein but was quickly apprehended by a local security company.”
“It soon emerged that the truck had been hijacked earlier in Oceanview. Goods vehicles are frequently targeted by criminal syndicates, and the local services regularly respond to such incidents. The SSIU recently received information about a location in Airport Industria where stolen goods were stored. After raiding the premises, several consignments taken during various hijackings were recovered.”
Thank you for your service, Biddy!
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