The total fatalities as a result of the Kroonstad rail crossing accident involving PRASA's long-distance passenger train and a truck now stand at 21. This information was received from the Kroonstad Forensic Pathologists who were running final confirmation tests for a positive identification of the deceased.
Explaining the revised number of fatalities, Dr. Sipho Sithole of PRASA said: "Initially the health authorities had only confirmed 19 bodies in line with the initial enquiries from the various families. But when we later recorded more than 19 enquiries from families, we became very concerned and requested further verification of the number of bodies retrieved from the scene against the claims made by the families. The latest Pathology Report corresponded the number of bodies at 21 after further investigations".
Furthermore, Dr. Sithole stated that PRASA is still concerned that of the 22 families that have come forward to report missing relatives only 21 are confirmed by the morgue. PRASA remains committed to ensuring that every missing family member is accounted for.
The process to identify the deceased family members is currently being undertaken through DNA identification. This process is still underway and should be completed in due course.
The accident happened on the 4th of January, when the Shosholoza Meyl Express train from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg derailed between Kroonstad and Hennenman in the Free State.
The train hit a truck that was crossing the tracks before it derailed and caught fire.
