One person was shot dead and three others wounded when three civilians engaged in a shoot-out with gunmen who robbed a fish tackle shop in Clairwood, Durban, paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeff Wicks said the shooting incident took place on Monday afternoon in Sidar Road.

Two armed men entered Bills Fish Tackle Shop on South Coast Road and held staff at gunpoint. They took R2000 in cash and valuables and then fled on foot.

Witness shoots at fleeing men

"As the men fled a man who witnessed the robbery produced a firearm and shot at the robbers, wounding one suspect twice in the stomach.

"The robbers then ran from the shop's entrance and into traffic on South Coast Road. They made their way through side roads into a parking lot."

He said the man along with two other men who had also witnessed the incident, pursued them in a bakkie.

Driving into a trap

As the bakkie pulled into the parking lot where the robbers were lying in wait, a shoot-out ensued.

The man who initially began shooting at the robbers was shot and killed.

"He was found by paramedics slumped in the driver's side of the bakkie in a pool of blood. He sustained a gunshot wound to his mouth and chest and succumbed to his injuries. Spent bullet casings from the exchange lined the floor around the bakkie."

The driver of the bakkie sustained a superficial gunshot wound to his head and another to his chest. The third man sustained a gunshot wound to his head and another to his left arm.

"Before medics arrived they were rushed to Wentworth Hospital and Bluff Medical Centre respectively by civilian transport. The wounded driver is currently in a serious but stable condition in Wentworth Hospital and is receiving treatment... The other man was fighting for his life in the medical centre... His condition and wounds are as such that survival through the night is unlikely."

Wicks said the robbers fled the scene and police were searching for them.

The condition of the robber who was shot is also unknown.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

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