Petrol tanker caught in crossfire, explosion thwarted

A petrol tanker almost caused another disaster after it was caught in a crossfire following a shootout in the Benoni area in Gauteng.

PETROL TANKER HIT BY A TRAY BULLET

The report suggests that on Monday 17 July at 11:30, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Community Liaison Unit (CLU) Officers, were involved in a shootout in the Benoni area, and a petrol tanker was caught in the crossfire.

While the officers were conducting their normal duties, they came across a green Nissan Almera sedan, with five male occupants driving along the N12 freeway in the Benoni area, travelling East.

“The Officers noticed that in the back seat of the vehicle, there were three (3) males, and the male in the middle was facing down. The officers became suspicious and followed the sedan. When the vehicle took the Snake Road off-ramp, the Officers switched on their blue lights and attempted to stop the vehicle. As the green Nissan Almera approached the traffic lights, the vehicle stopped, and the officers exited the police van to approach the sedan. Suddenly the males in the green Nissan Almera started to shoot at the Officers. When the Officers retaliated, a petrol tanker that had stopped for the traffic signal was caught in the crossfire,” EMPD explained the incident.

SHOOTOUT ENSUES BUT NO INJURIES REPORTED

“The tanker was shot at, and it started to leak, and fuel began to spill out onto the national road.”

EMPD

EMPD reports that the Nissan Almera fled the scene, shooting indiscriminately, however, there were no injuries sustained.

EMPD ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE SUSPECTS

“Motorists were diverted to the Tom Jones off-ramp, for their safety. All the necessary stakeholders were summoned to the scene, and a strong lookout for these criminals has been activated,” EMPD explained.

Lastly, the EMPD has urged the members of the public to come forward with any information on this crime and seek justice for all involved.