Police debunk misleading reports on Higginson accident
The misinformation led social media users and the community alike to air their confusion, anger, and sadness at the sight of the crash, with many suggesting that the incident may have been a hijacking gone wrong while others suggested that the man lost control of the vehicle and was shot after the fact by robbers.
Questions are being raised after a mangled vehicle was found on the railway tracks of the Higginson Highway, near the Croftdene off-ramp, on Monday morning, with emergency services finding the driver to have sustained injuries from the accident in addition to a gunshot wound to the head, with the latter being confirmed as incorrect.
News of this broke spread in the morning after ALS Paramedics released a statement on the crash where spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, stated that a young man was found dead in the vehicle after sustaining injuries from the incident in addition to a gunshot wound.
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The misinformation led social media users and the community alike to air their confusion, anger, and sadness at the sight of the crash, with many suggesting that the incident may have been a hijacking gone wrong while others suggested that the man lost control of the vehicle and was shot after the fact by robbers.
As the day wore on, however, Jamieson adjusted the initial statement which thereafter read, “Just before 6am, ALS Paramedics were called to a serious collision on the M1 Higginson Highway near the unit 5 off-ramp. Paramedics arrived at the scene and saw the extensively damaged vehicle on the railway tracks. Paramedics made their way down to the vehicle and found a single occupant in the vehicle. Upon examination, it was found that a male, believed to have been in his 20s, had sustained multiple injuries from the accident. Unfortunately, the man had sustained fatal injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do for him. He was declared dead at the scene. At this stage, the events leading up to the accident are unknown, however, the SAPS were at the scene and will be investigating further. Please accept my apologies as my staff gave incorrect details. I have been informed by the SAPS that they can not confirm any gunshot wound.”
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The station commander of Chatsworth SAPS, Brig Ruth De Villiers, responded to the incorrect media reporting on social media platforms regarding the crash.
“This office can confirm that a case of culpable homicide is being investigated following the accident that occurred whereby a 20-year-old driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police investigations reveal that the driver sustained multiple injuries as a result of an accident and not a shooting. The SAPS has designated media officers, who issue official statements regarding crime-related incidents. Stakeholders, such as the paramedics, should not interfere with crime scenes and rather act in their designated capacity. The circulating of incorrect information or misinformation can be misleading and also detrimental to the investigation conducted by police. Police are therefore cautioning first responders at crime scenes to act within the ambits of the law,” concluded Brig de Villiers.
