A Port Elizabeth municipal has been killed in a freak accident when his vehicle was crushed by a falling tree.
The incident happened in Buffelsfontein Road in Walmer on Monday afternoon when gale force uprooted a large tree which landed on the municipal vehicle.
He was identified as 60-year-old assistant horticulturist, Reggie Jenniker, who worked for the Municipality for more than 30 years at the Parks Sub-directorate.
Chris Hay, Assistant Director: Parks, said that he saw that the brake lights on the vehicle was on and that his former colleague still had both his hands on the steering wheel. He was on his way to inspect the work of grass cutting contractors in the area.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality also closed all the beaches for recreational activity due to gale force winds.
Firefighters were also stretched to the limit battling no less than nine serious fires across the length and breadth of the Metro.
Municipality spokesperson, Kupido Baron, says 19 fire tenders and dozens of personnel were dispatched to battle bush fires in Sardinia Bay, Willow Road on William Moffett Expressway, the Northern Areas as well as New Brighton.
He says fire-fighters also managed to control a blaze which was threatening homes in the Greenbushes area.
Several companies along William Moffett also evacuated staff because of the dense smoke.
No casualties were reported.
