Pretoria car guard Rassie de Beer put his life on the line for his community when he jumped on the hood of a stolen car in an attempt to stop a robbery in progress last Wednesday.

De Beer, a car guard at a local shopping centre in Queenswood, was informed about a car being stolen in the parking lot.

“I saw the car reverse out of the parking lot and I jumped on the hood to try and stop the driver,” says De Beer, who has bandages on his upper-body, hands and knees, where he was injured during the daring act.

“It was the only thing I could think of that would stop the driver.”

The car guard had to hold on for dear life as the driver swerved around and drove recklessly in an attempt to throw him off the car and make his getaway.

De Beer says he held on for as long as he could before his foot caught the tarmac and he was flung off the car.

“I was in a lot of pain and the wind was knocked out of me.”

Mieke, a close friend of Rassie and his wife Annelies, saw the incident and immediately stopped and called for an ambulance.

“She really is an angel and I think she saved my life that day,” adds Rassie. “Most people wouldn’t go out of their way like that to take care of their friends like she did that day.”

Annelies was at home when she heard the disturbing news.

“It felt like my entire life was ending at that moment. I phoned for Bolt to come fetch me and take me to him and so many things went wrong.

“We were on our way when we ran out of petrol, but I eventually bought R20 of petrol and we were able to get to him.”

Rassie was taken to Steve Biko Hospital. “I am so thankful that nothing was broken, it’s really a miracle.”

He was discharged on Friday and is now resting at home until he can continue his duties as a car guard to protect his community.

The Moot police confirmed they are investigating a theft of a motor vehicle case.