City honours truck driver for bravery

A TRUCK driver, who prevented the threat of a serious accident when he chased and stopped a motorist in a Jaguar from speeding into oncoming traffic, has received a bravery award from the City.

Zain Small, 25, a truck driver from Monte Vista with his own business, received the award at a ceremony at the Civic Centre yesterday.

Recalling the speeding incident, which occurred last Thursday at 11.15pm, Small said he had delivered bread in Paarl and was on the N1 near Plattekloof on his way back to Cape Town.

“I noticed this guy driving in the fast lane on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. At that stage I felt I had to do something to get this guy off the road.

“I switched on my hazards and was hooting and flashing to him, into oncoming traffic, but there was no response from him,” Small said.

Having chased the car – which was switching from lane to lane – for a harrowing 6km in oncoming traffic, Small said he decided to ram the speeding vehicle into the concrete barriers.

“That’s how I managed to bring him to a stop. The consequences could have been very bad. In fact, he narrowly missed five head-on collisions,” said Small, who added that he and a traffic officer got the man out of the car.

The City’s traffic services had received reports of a vehicle driving into oncoming traffic on the N1 outgoing. Using the CCTV network, the unit had identified the vehicle as a white Jaguar and noticed it was being followed by a white truck, said Mayco safety and security member JP Smith.

“First impressions were that both vehicles were driving negligently. However, further examination revealed that the truck driver was attempting to stop the Jaguar, as well as warn oncoming traffic of the hazard by flashing his lights.

“Despite numerous close calls, the driver was able to successfully prevent any injury and loss of life until the Jaguar (driver) could be apprehended by no less than 14 officers.”

The arrested driver was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless and negligent driving, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Footage of the incident was shown at yesterday’s award ceremony and made available to broadcasters.

“His actions certainly prevented loss of life. Had he not intervened and swerved around the Jaguar, we would certainly have seen a horrendous accident.

“He did put himself at risk,” said Smith.

Small said he did not expect the award, but felt humbled, speechless and happy that he could do his part in creating safety for other drivers.