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6th May 2009, 12:42
from The Times website:
A POLICE helicopter air crewman, wounded when robbers shot up his aircraft, managed to fly to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after being involved in a daring chase after a cash heist gang.
The Times understands that the drama started shortly after 9am when a gang of about eight robbers pounced on a security guard at the Trade Route Mall in Lenasia.
The gang members hijacked the guard’s security van and sped off. Security guards in the area had a run-in with the gang and police were alerted.
The chase continued to Bushkoppies in nearby Eldoradopark, to where police had dispatched the helicopter to provide air support to police in hot pursuit.
The gang then opened fire on the helicopter, damaging instruments and leaving one of the pilots wounded in the leg by shrapnel.
The aircrew then managed to pilot the stricken craft and landed the helicopter safely at Milpark Hospital.
Meanwhile, the chase continued when the members of the gang managed to hijack a Toyota Yaris in Eldoradopark.
A further shoot-out with police ensued and one of the gang members was wounded in the leg. Police have managed to arrest an unconfirmed number of robbers.
Amelda Swartz, Milpark Hospital spokeswoman, said the wounded air crewman was treated for the shrapnel wound and is recovering well.
The damaged craft was moved and flown back to the police air wing, under escort, after it was initially thought it could not be moved.
A POLICE helicopter air crewman, wounded when robbers shot up his aircraft, managed to fly to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after being involved in a daring chase after a cash heist gang.
The Times understands that the drama started shortly after 9am when a gang of about eight robbers pounced on a security guard at the Trade Route Mall in Lenasia.
The gang members hijacked the guard’s security van and sped off. Security guards in the area had a run-in with the gang and police were alerted.
The chase continued to Bushkoppies in nearby Eldoradopark, to where police had dispatched the helicopter to provide air support to police in hot pursuit.
The gang then opened fire on the helicopter, damaging instruments and leaving one of the pilots wounded in the leg by shrapnel.
The aircrew then managed to pilot the stricken craft and landed the helicopter safely at Milpark Hospital.
Meanwhile, the chase continued when the members of the gang managed to hijack a Toyota Yaris in Eldoradopark.
A further shoot-out with police ensued and one of the gang members was wounded in the leg. Police have managed to arrest an unconfirmed number of robbers.
Amelda Swartz, Milpark Hospital spokeswoman, said the wounded air crewman was treated for the shrapnel wound and is recovering well.
The damaged craft was moved and flown back to the police air wing, under escort, after it was initially thought it could not be moved.