Man survives plunge off mountain after altercation
A MOTORIST who allegedly had an altercation with a tollgate official drove off a steep cliff yesterday – and survived to tell the tale.
For now it is unclear why exactly he plunged off Chapman’s Peak in Cape Town or what the altercation was about.
Tow truck owner Shane Meyer, who was at the scene, said “many a vehicle” had gone over the edge there.
The driver, 32, was identified as a Johannesburg resident who had recently relocated to Cape Town for work.
Meyer said the man had been stopped by toll route officials who called the police after he “gave them attitude”.
“As soon as the police came . . . [they] got out their vehicle and started to walk towards him, and he just put foot and went off the mountain.”
Meyer said the man was flung out of the car. After more than an hour of searching and waiting for better light conditions, he was finally spotted on the slopes below the road.
Craig Lambinon from the National Sea Rescue Institute said rescuers were activated at 5.14am yesterday to assist the SA Police Service‚ Cape Town fire and rescue services‚ Western Cape government health emergency services and Cape Medical Response.
Two NSRI rescue swimmers found the crumpled vehicle about 50m from the water’s edge. The driver was found by the NSRI rescue swimmers some way down from the road.
“The man was found to be conscious and in a stable condition but suffering head injuries and cuts and bruises,” Lambinon said.
An EMS-AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was dispatched by Metro Control and helped to hoist him to safety.
Police spokesman LieutenantColonel AndrèTraut said police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Mark Jacobs, general manager of Entilini Operations, which manages the toll gate, said the man was very lucky to be alive. – Additional reporting TMG Digital