Security firm discusses crash at lighthouse

MOSSEL BAY - There was extreme alarm and concern from the public when a private security company patrol vehicle fell down the cliff at the St Blaize Lighthouse on Saturday evening, 1 March.

It landed several metres below the lighthouse.

Mossel Bay Advertiser posted the news about the crash on its Facebook site and website and it drew many comments.

The Advertiser was told the driver reversed and overshot, going over the ledge, down the cliffside, but this was an unconfirmed report.

Members of the public noted that the road to the lighthouse is extremely steep and there is not much space to turn at the lighthouse.

Seemingly miraculously, the two occupants of the U-Nic security vehicle, a Volkswagen Polo Vivo, were not hurt. The crash took place on Saturday, at about 19:30.

The Advertiser was sent a photograph of the vehicle at about 20:00 on Saturday night.

We put questions to the security company's operation manager, Arnold Boshoff.

He answered on behalf of the group company Alert Patrol’s head office.

Who was in the vehicle?

The driver, who is the supervisor, and a guard working the night shift.

What happened? Did the driver reverse and overshoot, going over the edge?

Currently the incident is still being investigated.

Was anyone injured?

There were no visible injuries. The driver was taken to hospital for a check-up, but was discharged the same day.

What damage was done to the vehicle?

Visible damage to the front bumper of the vehicle. Damage is being assessed and we are awaiting the report.

You said you rushed from George to the scene as soon as you heard about it?

Yes, the safety of our employees is always our top priority, especially when they are performing their duties.

We are relieved and grateful that no one was injured, as the situation could have been much worse.

We're committed to ensuring our team members have all the resources they need to move forward and continue their work confidently.

Why were the two at the lighthouse?

The lighthouse is one of our sites. The supervisor was conducting a routine inspection.

Any comments on making that area around the lighthouse safer for cars to turn; many have said it is dangerous?

This is not our area of expertise. We would like the area to be visited and a risk assessment done to ensure public safety, based on community comments on social media in response to the accident.

The vehicle where it landed below the lighthouse.