South Africa: Tow-Truck Hero Ends 4x4 Rampage

Despite 20 police units in pursuit and shots fired on New Year's Eve, it took a tow-truck driver, Zahier Barden, to stop the crazed 4x4 driver's rampage.

The Cape Argus reported he brought the rogue Jeep to a stop SEVERAL HOURS after its driver started his journey, despite about 20 police vehicles tailing the car on New Year's Eve.

Barden told the Argus it seemed like the driver was on drugs and drove from Lansdowne to Philippi and back to Lansdowne, Wetton and Crawford. Police fired at the car, shooting out three of the tyres, but the Jeep kept going, according to the report.

Broke windows

Barden apparently intervened by squeezing his tow-truck past the police vehicles to ambush the car. By dropping his towing array he forced the vehicle to stop not far from Lansdowne police station.

"Police were trying to get him out but he locked the doors. So, I went up there and broke some of the vehicle's windows and helped the cops get him out," Barden told the Cape Argus.

"I don't know what he was on, but he was immensely strong."

Western Cape police were not able to provide more details of the incident.