The Citizen reports that Metrorail has put the number of commuters injured during a collision between two passenger trains at Van Riebeeck Park Station near Kempton Park on Thursday evening at more than 320.
Some 32 of the 320 injured commuters suffered serious, but not critical injuries. The injured commuters were taken for medical attention at various hospitals. The company said a board of inquiry would be appointed to investigate the crash, which happened when a train rear-ended another which was experiencing problems while standing stationary at the platform of the station. Commuters slammed Prasa and Metrorail train services on Twitter, saying an accident was bound to happen. Following the accident, the United National Transport Union (Untu) called on Transport Minister Blade Nzimande to intervene and suspend the services of Metrorail until the rail operator could provide a safe and reliable service. "Untu warned that passenger trains are death trains and that the situation is life threatening. The Minister, the Railway Safety Regulator and Prasa ignored us," said Untu spokesperson Sonja Carstens.
- Read this report in full at The Citizen
- Read too, Number of passengers injured in Kempton Park train crash climbs to over 300, at News24
Read Untu’s press statement at SA Labour News
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page