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South Africa train crash leaves at least four dead and dozens injured as carriages collide with truck | South Africa train crash leaves at least four dead and dozens injured as carriages collide with truck |
(35 minutes later) | |
Four people have died and dozens were injured after a passenger train collided with a truck and a car in South Africa. | Four people have died and dozens were injured after a passenger train collided with a truck and a car in South Africa. |
One of the train's carriages burst into flames after the accident in a rural area 110 miles south-west of Johannesburg. | One of the train's carriages burst into flames after the accident in a rural area 110 miles south-west of Johannesburg. |
Rescue group ER24 said there were around 100 casualties after the Port Elizabeth-Johannesburg train hit a vehicle near Hanneman. | Rescue group ER24 said there were around 100 casualties after the Port Elizabeth-Johannesburg train hit a vehicle near Hanneman. |
Video of the crash in Free State province showed fire and smoke billowing from the carriage, with part of the train derailed and overhead power lines damaged. | Video of the crash in Free State province showed fire and smoke billowing from the carriage, with part of the train derailed and overhead power lines damaged. |
A large vehicle was left upside down beside a train carriage that appeared to have partly crushed another, smaller vehicle. | A large vehicle was left upside down beside a train carriage that appeared to have partly crushed another, smaller vehicle. |
Passengers, some of whom were reportedly heading home after the new year holidays, were seen with their luggage on the side of the road close to the wreck. | |
Private ambulance service Netcare 911 confirmed four people had died but listed the number of injured as around 40. | Private ambulance service Netcare 911 confirmed four people had died but listed the number of injured as around 40. |
Survivors told how they attempted to save fellow passengers trapped on the burning train. | Survivors told how they attempted to save fellow passengers trapped on the burning train. |
“I saw around 12 cars on their side and one was already burning. We heard some women screaming when we came closer‚ so a few of us climbed over the cars to investigate,” Tiaan Esterhuizen told TimesLIVE. | “I saw around 12 cars on their side and one was already burning. We heard some women screaming when we came closer‚ so a few of us climbed over the cars to investigate,” Tiaan Esterhuizen told TimesLIVE. |
“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‚” he said. “We searched but could not find the child.” | “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‚” he said. “We searched but could not find the child.” |
He added: “One man’s back was burned‚ others just had singed clothing. I am not really sure how the car was also involved. | He added: “One man’s back was burned‚ others just had singed clothing. I am not really sure how the car was also involved. |
"But other passengers told me they heard the train blowing its horn for a long time before the collision.” | "But other passengers told me they heard the train blowing its horn for a long time before the collision.” |
The British Foreign Office said it was in contact with local authorities, and asked those affected to call +27 12 421 7500 in South Africa or 020 7008 1500 in the UK. | The British Foreign Office said it was in contact with local authorities, and asked those affected to call +27 12 421 7500 in South Africa or 020 7008 1500 in the UK. |
Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |