An impatient motorist on Sunday illegally removed road signs to drive on the N1 highway, only to crash into a stationary crane in the prohibited lane.
The accident happened just outside Bellville on Sunday.
According to a road worker, the man had ignored signs
asking motorists to stay off Old Oak Road.
“He slammed into the crane’s generator and a bakkie in the prohibited area,” the worker said.
“The crane is used to put up the new road signs and he just drove right through the marked road closure signs, heading straight for the bakkie and crane.
“We had such a fright. Then he just drove off as if nothing
happened.”
He says before speeding off, the motorist had jumped out to check the damage on his vehicle.
“That man was reckless. He did not care that he may have injured someone or otherwise property belonging to someone else. He just drove away.
“The damaged bakkie and generator were removed soon after the incident.”
Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said on Sunday the N1 inbound and R300 link was closed.
“It’s alleged that a driver removed closure signs at Old Oak Road to gain access to N1 and collided with the mobile crane which was busy with the erecting of the overhead
gantries.”
Authorities are looking for the motorist.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said they were aware of the incident.
But the matter was being
handled by Provincial Traffic.