VANDERBIJLPARK – A normal work day for the notorious steel scavengers turned into tragedy when a man in his 30s fell from a moving truck and died.

The deceased was offloading steel from a scrap truck on Delfos Road when he met his untimely death.

Just when the scrap truck made a turn onto the Golden Highway on 30 April, the scavenger attempted to jump off, but he fell on his face and died.

Speaking to Ster South, an eyewitness who asked not to be named said, “I watched as a group of young men jumped off the truck. Just when the last one tried to jump off after dropping his maize bag filled with steel, he fell and died. I quickly ran to investigate if he was still breathing, so I called an ambulance for him. I was met by a gruesome image as blood oozed from his ears, eyes, and mouth.”

Local police officers and emergency services were called to the scene, where the man was declared dead.

Dozens gathered on the scene, with many motorists causing traffic as they stopped to watch role players comb the scene.

Vanderbijlpark police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu confirmed the incident, indicating that investigations are underway.

“A culpable homicide case is being investigated. When our members arrived at the scene, they found an African male wearing blue trousers and a brown T-shirt lying on his back on the left side of the road.”

Sigcu said the deceased sustained injuries to the head and neck.

“Paramedics were already at the scene and declared the victim dead. The deceased was taken to Sebokeng mortuary.”