Biker fights back and stabs two attackers

A MOTORBIKE rider fought back against two men who tried to attack him a few kilometres from Giba Gorge in Pinetown yesterday, leaving one dead and the other in a critical condition.

The man had just crossed a bridge where a number of muggings and attacks have happened when three men approached him with a knife.

They grabbed him but he fought back, stabbing two of them.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Shooz Magudulela said the men tried to rob the biker using a knife.

The rider was on his way to Giba Gorge.

Fatal

“He stabbed two of the attackers, fatally wounding one, who is 25. The second one sustained a stab wound. An ambulance took him to hospital. Police have not arrested anyone and Mariannhill Police are handling the investigation,” he said.

Magudulela said cases of murder and attempted murder had been opened.

Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said when they arrived they worked with the police search and rescue team to get to the men who had fled, but collapsed near the scene of the incident.

They had to hike down a steep slope for about 500m before they reached the first man.

“We found he had sustained a penetrating wound and had died,” he said.

Botha said after the team hiked a further 500m they found another man lying near a river with a critical wound.

“He was stabilised and a paramedic placed him on a ventilator.”

Police airlifted the man and paramedics to where the ambulances were parked, before he was taken to hospital.

Senzo Gumede, who works at Giba Gorge MTB Park, said the incident happened about 3.5km from the park, but the biker came to them for assistance after the attack.

He had asked that they phone police to report the incident before going with him to the scene.

Gumede said a number of attacks had taken place at the place where the biker was attacked.

“My brother was mugged three months ago in the same area. His phone and wallet were taken. People walk there every day when they go to work,” he said.

Gumede said the robbers hid in nearby bushes and waited for their would-be victims.

Attempts to reach the biker for comment yesterday were unsuccessful. He was said to be in shock after the incident.

sphelele.ngubane@inl.co.za