Update – Signalling cable theft blamed for train collision in Elandsfontein – says Prasa
Prasa respond to this morning's (Thursday) Elandsfontein train collision.
Signalling cable theft is reportedly the caused of the train collision in Elandsfontein, this morning (Thursday), where one person was killed and 102 injured.
This is according to a statement released by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) after the incident.
“Metrorail Gauteng confirms a side train collision between two trains T0601 and 1817 at Elandsfontein at around 6.25am.
“At the time of the accident the trains were manually authorised between Olifantsfontein and Elandsfontein due to the theft of signalling power cables that occurred in the early hours of the morning,” said said Mr Goodman Matampi, acting provincial manager of Gauteng Metrorail.
“At the time of the collision one of the trains was heading to Tembisa, with no passengers on board, and the other was heading to Johannesburg from Pretoria, full of passengers,” explained William Ntladi, media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) .
The statement went on to state that overhead power on all four of the railway lines from Germiston to Kempton Park was off after the collision.
Further more all trains that were supposed to run in the affected sections would remain stationery until the technical team on the ground had declared an alternative line safe for train movement.
Matampi confirmed that 102 commuters were reportedly injured in the collision and had been taken to hospitals in the area for treatment.
“One man sadly suffered fatal injuries in the collision.
“He was found in the who was inside the empty train and we are investigating the reasons why he was on board a train that was not in service.
“Metrorail Gauteng sincerely regrets the loss of life and conveys its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
“We appreciate the support from the SAPS, DEMS and our technical teams,” said Matampi.
The following interim train arrangements have been put in place:
• Trains from Pretoria are turning at Kaalfontein,
• Buses are utilized between Kaalfontein and Germiston,
• From Johannesburg, trains are turning at Germiston, and,
• A shuttle train service is currently running between Leralla and Kaalfontein.
Metrorail has appointed a technical team to continue to investigate the cause of the collision.
Related article:
BREAKING NEWS – One dead and over 100 injured in Metrorail collision in Elandsfontein
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