JOHANNESBURG, October 24 (ANA) – Human error was the cause of the collision between two passenger trains where one person died and scores injured near Kaalfontein Station in Ekurhuleni, Metrorail said on Monday.
The company said one of the trains had passed a danger signal before colliding with the other train head-on at around lunchtime.
“A board of inquiry will be instituted to determine the root cause of the accident, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) will work closely with the Railway Safety Regulator. A case of culpable homicide has been opened at the Tembisa police station,†the company said.
One male passenger died on the scene and 243 other commuters from both trains were injured, said Metrorail. The deceased was trapped in the train wreckage and was declared dead on the scene.
“The accident is regrettable and we count the lives of our commuters as invaluable and we send heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. Metrorail and PRASA management offers its sympathy and wishes speedy recovery to the injured commuters,†the rail company said.
Metrorail is operated by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
The company said the cost of crash was not yest known.
– African News Agency (ANA)
(Photo credit: KemptonPark Express)
