PHOTOS: Horrific #ShosholozaMeyl train crash

ER24 and other services were on the scene of a train accident between Hennenman and Kroonstad, in the Free State.

Picture: ER24/Twitter

Initial reports from the train collision in the Free State showed that four people sustained fatal injuries, Letaba Herald reports, based on ER24 tweets yesterday. The number of deaths has risen significantly since then.

ER24 and other emergency services were on the scene. Initial reports indicated about 100 patients. Further updates are to follow.

Photo: @OFMNews9497 Twitter

Twelve people have died and about 180 have been injured in the collision involving a train and a truck, according to news reports.

Tebogo Magoro, Netcare 911 spokesman, confirmed the fatalities.

Photo: @OFMNews9497 Twitter

According to a passenger, the train was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg when a truck’s brakes failed, causing it to hit the first and second carriage.

“Those with serious injuries are being transported by Netcare 911 and other services to hospital,” said Magoro.