Fish Hoek police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash off Chapman’s Peak Drive on Sunday morning. A vehicle plunged approximately 100 metres down the cliff face, forcing the scenic route to close for several hours.

The 47-year-old driver was extricated from the wreckage and airlifted to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries on Monday. Police say the case was initially registered as reckless and negligent driving and has since been reclassified as culpable homicide, which is standard procedure in such investigations.

Western Cape police spokesperson F.C. van Wyk said part of the investigation includes determining whether anyone else was involved. Initial reports suggested there may have been two occupants in the vehicle, but police are not yet in a position to confirm this.

Entilini Operations, which manages the iconic route, said CCTV footage is being reviewed to help establish how the crash occurred. It has been reported that the driver, coming from the Noordhoek side of the Drive, veered off the road along one of the flatter sections of Chapman’s Peak Drive.

There are unconfirmed reports that a burst tyre may have caused the crash.

Due to extremely difficult access from the roadway, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) responded by boat. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were airlifted to the scene, where, with assistance from NSRI crews, they extricated the driver before he was flown to the hospital.

Several bystanders made their way down the cliff to help. One of them later had to be airlifted out after being unable to climb back up the steep terrain.

Entilini Operations told News24 that while accidents do occur, they are not frequent, and the road remains safe for motorists.