A harrowing scene unfolded on Thursday, 17 July, when a woman’s car veered off a bridge near the Ratanga Road exit at Canal Walk in Century City, Cape Town. The incident, which occurred adjacent to the Crystal Towers Hotel, left onlookers shocked as the vehicle plunged over the side of the bridge in broad daylight.
According to witnesses, the vehicle appeared to lose control before careening off the edge and landing below. The driver, a woman believed to be in her 50s, was the sole occupant of the car at the time. The sudden crash startled nearby motorists and shoppers, many of whom stopped to assist or watched in disbelief as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Paramedics and rescue teams responded swiftly to the call, arriving within minutes. Emergency medical personnel provided on-site care to the injured driver before transporting her to a nearby hospital. At the time of her transfer, she was reported to be in a stable condition — a fortunate outcome considering the severity of the crash.
The cause of the incident remains unknown. Canal Walk centre management has since confirmed that an internal investigation is underway. A spokesperson for the centre stated that no other vehicles were involved and that the woman had been driving alone.
“We are currently looking into the matter and working with relevant authorities to establish what led to this unfortunate accident,” the spokesperson said. “Thankfully, no pedestrians or other motorists were injured.”
Authorities have yet to confirm whether mechanical failure, driver error, or a medical emergency contributed to the incident. The area around the scene was temporarily cordoned off as emergency teams worked to recover the vehicle and ensure public safety.
Motorists in the area experienced delays as traffic was diverted while clean-up operations and preliminary assessments were conducted. Security and safety officials from Canal Walk were also seen at the scene, working in coordination with law enforcement and emergency crews.
Though rare, such incidents highlight the importance of road safety and infrastructure checks, especially near busy shopping centres and pedestrian zones. City officials have not commented on whether further evaluations of the bridge or surrounding roadways will be undertaken following the incident.
Social media was abuzz shortly after the crash, with several users posting photos and video clips of the scene. Many expressed relief that the woman survived and sent well wishes for her recovery.
The investigation into the exact cause continues, and officials have urged anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information to come forward.
For now, the public is encouraged to exercise caution when travelling near the Ratanga Road exit, especially as authorities complete their inquiries.