A WARNER Beach resident, trapped in the crossfire of a daring cash-in-transit heist on the N2, says she now knows exactly what it feels like to have her entire life flash before her eyes in a heartbeat.

Also watch: [Video] Cash-in-transit heist shuts down N2

Lulu Smith was driving to Riverhorse Valley when automatic gunfire suddenly rang out just after 06:00 on February 4.

“I instinctively slammed on the brakes and ducked under the dashboard as the shots rang out. At that very moment, I recalled the Richards Bay teacher who was struck by stray bullets during a cash-in-transit robbery while on her way to work in November last year. I saw a vision of my funeral and my distraught loved ones as they cried over my casket,” said Smith.

She peeked over the steering wheel and saw cars in front of her making U-turns, so she did the same.

ALS Paramedics’ Garrith Jamieson confirmed that several bystanders were shot during the robbery, including a female pedestrian who died. Guards transporting the money were treated at the scene for various injuries and they all survived. The assailants made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and shot their way out of the scene. It is alleged they shot another woman in Chatsworth after trying to hijack her Mercedes Benz.

Also read: Motorists to use M4 until further notice following N2 heist

Both lanes of the N2 between Edwin Swales Drive and Higginson Highway were closed for several hours while the police processed the scene and interviewed witnesses.

Smith said surviving the incident unscathed is another reason to be grateful to be alive.

“My heart goes out to the families of those who died during this robbery because it could have easily been my family. I really thought and felt I was going to die,” she said.

Two of the alleged robbers were chased to Durban where one of them died during a gun battle with the police. The other one was arrested and taken to hospital where he is being treated for gunshot wounds under heavy police guard. He will appear in court once he is well enough to stand trial.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said one of the vehicles used in the heist had been hijacked in KwaMakhutha. He added that the suspects have been positively linked to other crimes in various parts of the province.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.