A cash-in-transit crew was ambushed and injured when armed robbers used explosives to gain access to a security vehicle on the N2 near Hibberdene earlier this evening.

The brazen attack brought traffic to a standstill as the highway was closed while emergency services, police and security teams responded to the scene.

According to IPSS Medical Rescue, an unknown number of armed men forced the cash-in-transit vehicle off the road before detonating explosives in an attempt to access the cash compartment.

At the time of the blast, three security officers were still inside the vehicle.

Paramedics found all three guards with moderate injuries. They were stabilised at the scene and transported to hospital under the care of an IPSS Medical Rescue Advanced Life Support paramedic.

Reports from the scene indicated that multiple shots were fired during the robbery and that an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.

Witnesses also reported seeing members of the public attempting to collect cash scattered around the crime scene.

The aftermath of the robbery drew large crowds to the scene as traffic remained at a standstill on the N2. The scene quickly descended into what onlookers described as a looting frenzy.

Saps members, emergency services and private security companies remained on the scene for several hours as investigations got under way.

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