The RSR takes action following investigation results
RSR has released the results of their preliminary investigation into the cause of the tragic train collision in Horizon View.
On Thursday, 13 February the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) officially began their in-depth preliminary investigation into the cause of the tragic Horizon View train collision that had occurred the night before.
On Wednesday, 12 February, at approximately 9.15pm, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) passenger train and Transnet Freight Rail train collided, resulting in several carriages derailing.
Read the initial article here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2020/02/13/watch-one-dead-horisons-tourist-train-nightmare/
The Prasa train was carrying 31 tourists and 14 staff members from Cape Town to Johannesburg at the time; many of whom were foreign nationals. The dining cart of the passenger train was carrying an elderly man and woman who were trapped inside for over two hours. Unfortunately, the elderly man was pronounced dead on scene and his companion was airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital in critical condition.
In their initial statement, RSR confirmed that both trains were manually authorised by the Maraisburg Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) Centre before the collision occurred. The RSR has released the results of their investigation, subsequently confirming that all the Prasa Shosholoza Meyl trains have been issued a Prohibition Directive, forbidding them to operate with immediate effect.
The findings of the preliminary investigation showed that the passenger train had been travelling at double the speed restriction imposed on lines that are operational under manual authorisation. The impact occurred with the Prasa train rear-ending the Transnet train at a speed of 60 kilometres per hour.
The enquiry also confirmed that after receiving authorisation from the Maraisburg CTC Centre, the manual authorisations of both trains were not countersigned by the Section Manager – in direct violation of a Special Condition issued to Prasa upon issuing a Temporary Operating Permit.
The RSR has placed Prasa under judicial supervision, with a further court order to comply with the conditions imposed by the Prohibition Directive.
Also Read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2020/02/14/update-on-horizon-views-tragic-train-collision/
The RSR assured citizens that the safety of commuters and the workforce is their utmost priority and they will be ensuring that Prasa complies with the prohibition. The directive will only be lifted once RSR is convinced that Prasa has managed the prohibition effectively and proved that their levels of safety have been improved. “The RSR, therefore, recommends a Board of Inquiry (BOI) with the main objective of determining the facts of the occurrence, the immediate and underlying causes, and will make recommendations with the intent to prevent or reduce the risk of similar occurrences,” read the statement.
Prasa was asked for an update and comment, but none has been received.
