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South Africa train crash: At least 14 dead and dozens injured as carriages collide with truck | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Fourteen people were killed and dozens 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. |
A train service official quoted by Reuters said the death toll had risen from four to 14, while rescue group ER24 said there were around 100 casualties after the Port Elizabeth-Johannesburg train hit a vehicle near Hanneman. | |
"It is not yet confirmed but the death toll for now is sitting at 14," said Daisy Daniel, a spokeswoman for passenger rail service Shosholoza Meyl. | |
Video of the crash in Free State province showed fire and smoke billowing from at least one 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 said to be heading home after the New Year break, were seen with their luggage on the side of the road close to the wreck. | |
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. |