Two security guards were injured yesterday when gunmen opened fire on them at the Port Dunford bridge outside Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, paramedics said.

Two security guards were injured yesterday when gunmen opened fire on them at the Port Dunford bridge outside Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, paramedics said.

Mounties Ambulance Service spokesman Joseph Kruger said the incident took place under the bridge on the N2 freeway.

Mtunzini police officers said the Coin Security van was thought to have been heading towards Durban when gunmen began firing at it. They had apparently been waiting there for the van to pass. A bullet struck one of the security van's tyres, bringing the vehicle to a halt.

The gunmen then assaulted the guards before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Kruger said: "One guard sustained a cut on the head after being hit with a gun and another guard had petrol thrown in his eyes."

The gunmen are still at large. - Sapa