train crash south africa
Train Crash in South Africa. Source: ER24

Home » 14 Die In Train Crash in Free State, South Africa

14 Die In Train Crash in Free State, South Africa

At least 14 people were tragically killed and almost 270 injured on Thursday morning in South Africa, when a passenger train collided with a truck and caught fire, between Hennenman and Kroonstad in the Free State. Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi visited the scene, and sent condolences to the victims’ families. He warned that the death […]

By SAPeople
04-01-18 17:36
in Eish!
train crash south africa
Train Crash in South Africa. Source: ER24

At least 14 people were tragically killed and almost 270 injured on Thursday morning in South Africa, when a passenger train collided with a truck and caught fire, between Hennenman and Kroonstad in the Free State.

Train Crash in South Africa. Source: ER24

Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi visited the scene, and sent condolences to the victims’ families. He warned that the death toll could rise. Earlier today, when he confirmed 12 deaths, he said that at least four of the 268 people who were injured, were in critical condition. This afternoon, Netcare 911 Spokesperson Tebogo Magoro confirmed the death toll has risen to 14.

The passenger train – carrying at least 429 passengers according to the SA Government (some news reports say over 700) – was travelling between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg when the incident occurred.

Minister Maswanganyi said the derailment happened because the truck crossed the level crossing as the train was approaching at around 09h00, and that the truck driver was “taking chances” thinking he could make it… which has resulted in the loss of many lives.

According to witnesses the truck driver attempted to run away after the crash, but was caught by police.

Video footage of the aftermath shows at least one carriage on fire, with devastated and shocked passengers standing on the side of the road, along with their luggage.

Investigations indicate that the derailment affected seven coaches, one of which is a power car that helps in the generation of power in the train. This caught fire, which crossed over to the next coach. A car was also crushed in the crash.

Hundreds of passengers were safely evacuated, and attended to at the scene by emergency medical workers, or transported to hospital. Those passengers who are able to travel, are being taken by bus to Johannesburg. Emergency services are still freeing some passengers from overturned carriages.

One passenger – Seipati Moletsane – told eNCA reporters that she was “so traumatised. I didn’t know what to do. I was looking for a door just to jump out. Every door was locked… All of a sudden, we just saw smoke, smoke, smoke.”

According to the BBC, another passenger – Tiaan Esterhuizen – described the frightening scene to TimesLive, saying he had tried to help three women who were trapped in the wreckage.

“Two of the women were sort of on top of each other. Another was further back. Her legs were trapped. One of the women was shouting that there was a baby inside also. We searched but could not find the child.”

Tragically the blaze became too intense to continue trying to save them. “We used some fire extinguishers the police had‚ but it didn’t work,” he told the news site. “I am quite sure those women burned to death…”

Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) investigators will immediately commence with their investigations.

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