The charred remains found outside a burnt-out vehicle just off Clarence Drive is believed to be that of a middle-aged man from Somerset West.
This according to a Gordon’s Bay police spokesperson, following the macabre discovery made along the coastal R44 route last Thursday (7 April).
Authorities were alerted to the scene of an apparent motor vehicle accident after passersby made the discovery around 10:00 that morning.
On DistrictMail’s arrival minutes later Gordon’s Bay police officers, local traffic officials and representatives of the private security company Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec) were already on-scene.
Skid marks on the tar road approaching the bend along with traces of the vehicle’s red paint on the barricade were clearly visible.
It appeared the vehicle had crashed over the barrier wall and plunged into a protected mountainside area forming part of the Steenbras Nature Reserve.
“It is suspected that the vehicle, a red Volkswagen Citi Golf veered off the road, crashing over the barricade.
“The vehicle landed in what appears to be a ditch, where it presumably caught alight,” said the police spokesperson.
Police called on members of the public to come forward with information that could help identify the victim and provide insight into what may have occurred that led to the tragedy.
According to the police spokesperson, further investigation led to tracking down the owner of the vehicle, a 38-year-old man living in Somerset West.
The local told authorities the vehicle was being used by his brother, whom he had last seen on Wednesday evening.
“We are awaiting the results of DNA tests done to confirm whether it is indeed the body of the 46-year-old sibling,” said the police spokesperson.
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide and circumstances that led to the apparent accident, which presumably occurred on Wednesday night or in the early hours of Thursday, are central to the police investigation.
