[imagesource: Twitter / Weekend Argus]

On Friday, a high-speed car chase ended in tragic circumstances near the Foreshore in Cape Town.

A helicopter and multiple police vehicles were in pursuit of a white bakkie, with shots fired at the tyres in an attempt to slow the vehicle.

According to IOL, the driver of the vehicle was 40-year-old Terence Burchell, “a wealthy Constantia businessman” who died at the scene after he “tried to swallow several small bags of pure cocaine”.

A source told IOL that Burchell, found wearing only boxer shorts, “was seen stuffing his mouth”.

Part of the high-speed chase was caught on camera:

Watch: Police pursue a white bakkie onto the N1, on Friday, where they opened fire, shooting at the tyres to bring the chase to a halt near the Foreshore. The driver a wealthy Constantia man, died at the scene after he swallowed small bags of cocaine. pic.twitter.com/DrPTgA6fBD

— Weekend Argus (@WeekendArgus) January 23, 2022

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Grace Langa provided further details:

“When the bakkie was driving recklessly in the oncoming traffic lane police called for backup.

“The Cape Town Flying Squad gave chase but the driver failed to stop, shots were fired at the tyres but the driver kept on driving with damaged tyres.”

Eventually the vehicle came to a halt. “Police approached the vehicle. As they opened the door, they noticed that the driver had about seven small containers with white powder and he quickly put the powder in his mouth.”

She said as they tried to arrest him his mouth started to foam and blood dripped from his nose.

Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and he died on the scene.

The chase began after Piketberg SAPS members saw a vehicle that had been reported missing in Kirstenhof.

On Facebook, Burchell’s sister shared a tribute to her older brother, saying his favourite place was Clanwilliam.

[source:iol]