The 51-year-old driver of a John Fernandes container truck last night crushed an unidentified man to death at the corner of Croal Street and Avenue of the Republic.
The driver who gave his name as Paul Taylor, told reporters that he did not realise he had hit anyone until he got to the next traffic light at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and Brickdam, when a stranger told him.
Taylor said he immediately stopped the truck and got out to see if it was true. His worst fears were confirmed when he saw the mangled and crushed body on the road, several feet away from a pedestrian crossing.
The 40ft container truck with front licence plate number GFF3175 and back licence plate number TEE 3219 had left the John Fernandes Wharf and was making its way to the Terminal.
Though details were sketchy, reports were that the man attempted to cross the road when the truck hit him and its back wheel ran over his body. There were also conflicting reports that the man had hopped onto the back of the container truck, slipped and rolled underneath it.
The police will need to obtain surveillance footage from cameras near the traffic lights to aid in their investigations.
They will also need help in identifying the man, who was clad in a blue and white jersey, a pair of jeans, sneakers and socks. One officer pointed out that the task of identification will be difficult given the extent of the damage to the man’s head.
The driver has been taken into police custody.
