An armed robber was killed in a shootout with police after his getaway car crashed into an unmarked police vehicle in Boksburg on Monday, Gauteng police said.

Superintendent Eugene Opperman said officers of the North Rand Flying Squad escaped with their lives after several armed robbers opened fire on them at the corner of Top and Atlas Road.

The police officers were oblivious of the fact that armed robbers were tailing a man who had just drawn a sum of money at a nearby bank. The robbers were driving in three vehicles.

"One of the vehicles driven by the robbers smashed into the rear of the marked police car. The officers were totally taken by surprise as several men appeared and opened fire on the police vehicle. Clearly the robbers were also taken by surprise by the marked police vehicle which posed a clear threat to their getaway," Opperman said.

One robber killed

The officers "tactically rolled out" of their vehicle as bullets slammed into it, breaking windows and causing damage. The officers returned fire in self defence.

One robber was shot dead while the others fled the scene. At the corner of Ridge and Elizabeth Road, Boksburg the remaining robbers tried to hijack a motorist of her vehicle.

A member of the public saw what was happening and he fired shots at the robber. A paramedic vehicle which came down the same road then knocked the robber down. The seriously injured robber was taken to hospital. He also had a gunshot wound in the chest.

The man that was being followed from the bank in the meanwhile drove to the nearest police station.

"The two police inspectors miraculously escaped any injury," said Opperman.

Police were searching for at least 10 other suspects who had fled from the scene.