Hennenman–Kroonstad train crash: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 27°49′18.99″S 27°8′4.33″E / 27.8219417°S 27.1345361°E / -27.8219417; 27.1345361
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== Accident ==
== Accident ==
At about 09:15 [[UTC+2|local time]] (07:15 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) on 4 January 2018,<ref name=Sky11195032>{{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/four-dead-and-hundreds-injured-in-south-africa-train-crash-11195032 |title=14 dead and up to 100 injured in South Africa train crash |first=Alix |last=Culbertson |publisher=Sky News |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> a passenger train, operated by [[Shosholoza Meyl]], collided with a truck on a level crossing between [[Hennenman]] and Kroonstad, around {{convert|200|km|mi}} south-west of [[Johannesburg]].<ref name=Telegraph/><ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/news/monde/story/Au-moins-14-morts-dans-un-accident-de-train-15475810| title= Au moins 14 morts dans un accident de train| language=fr| work=[[L'essentiel (newspaper)|L'essential]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=RT414973>{{cite web |url=https://www.rt.com/news/414973-train-crash-south-africa/ |title=14 dead, hundreds injured as train derails in South Africa (PHOTOS) |publisher=RT |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> The locomotive and twelve carriages of the train were derailed;<ref name=TL040118/> seven carriages caught fire.<ref name=Enca050118>{{cite web |url=http://www.enca.com/south-africa/mop-up-operations-to-resume-after-deadly-kroonstad-train-crash |title=Mop-up operations to resume after deadly Kroonstad train crash |publisher=eNews Channel Africa |accessdate=5 January 2018}}</ref> The train was carrying 429 passengers.<ref name=TL040118/> Eighteen people were killed,<ref name=CT12612960>{{cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/free-state/death-toll-rises-to-18-in-kroonstad-traincrash-12612960 |title=Death toll rises to 18 in Kroonstad #TrainCrash |publisher=Cape Times |date=4 January 2018 |accessdate=5 January 2018}}</ref> 254 were injured.<ref name=TL040118>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-01-04-watch--at-least-20-dead-in-horror-train-crash-number-expected-to-rise/ |title=At least 20 dead in horror train crash‚ number expected to rise |first1=Ernest |last1=Mazuba |first2=Kyle |last2=Cowan |publisher=Times Live |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>
At about 09:15 [[UTC+2|local time]] (07:15 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) on 4 January 2018,<ref name=Sky11195032>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=14 dead and up to 100 injured in South Africa train crash |first=Alix |last=Culbertson |publisher=Sky News |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> a passenger train, operated by [[Shosholoza Meyl]], collided with a truck on a level crossing between [[Hennenman]] and Kroonstad, around {{convert|200|km|mi}} south-west of [[Johannesburg]].<ref name=Telegraph/><ref>{{cite news| url= http://48373.iphonexfree.net/| title= Au moins 14 morts dans un accident de train| language=fr| work=[[L'essentiel (newspaper)|L'essential]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=RT414973>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=14 dead, hundreds injured as train derails in South Africa (PHOTOS) |publisher=RT |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> The locomotive and twelve carriages of the train were derailed;<ref name=TL040118/> seven carriages caught fire.<ref name=Enca050118>{{cite web |url=http://www.enca.com/south-africa/mop-up-operations-to-resume-after-deadly-kroonstad-train-crash |title=Mop-up operations to resume after deadly Kroonstad train crash |publisher=eNews Channel Africa |accessdate=5 January 2018}}</ref> The train was carrying 429 passengers.<ref name=TL040118/> Eighteen people were killed,<ref name=CT12612960>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=Death toll rises to 18 in Kroonstad #TrainCrash |publisher=Cape Times |date=4 January 2018 |accessdate=5 January 2018}}</ref> 254 were injured.<ref name=TL040118>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=At least 20 dead in horror train crash‚ number expected to rise |first1=Ernest |last1=Mazuba |first2=Kyle |last2=Cowan |publisher=Times Live |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>


Witnesses stated that the truck failed to stop at the Jeneva level crossing,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://letabaherald.co.za/lnn/345165/sanco-slams-shocking-loss-of-life-in-free-state-train-crash|title=Sanco slams ‘shocking’ loss of life in Free State train crash|last=|first=|date=5 January 2018|website=Letaba Herald|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=BBC42565653/> despite the train driver giving warning by blowing the horn. The truck, along with its two trailers, was dragged for around {{convert|400|m|ft}}.<ref name=Sky11195032/> Photographs show that a car was also crushed by the derailed train, which was travelling from [[Port Elizabeth]] to [[Johannesburg]]. The truck driver survived the collision. He tried to flee the scene but was arrested <ref name=BBC42565653>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42565653 |title=South Africa train crash: Four dead in truck collision |publisher=BBC News Online |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> and taken to a hospital.<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news| url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/04/least-four-people-killed-passenger-train-crash-south-africa/| title= Frantic search for survivors after South African passenger train collides with truck, killing at least 18 and injuring hundreds| work=[[Agence France-Presse]]| via=[[The Daily Telegraph]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> At around 20:50 local time, the [[search and rescue]] was called off. Heavy machinery is expected to arrive from [[Mafikeng]] within 36 hours to recover the dead and restore rail service.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/kroonstad-train-crash-search-and-rescue-operations-halted-20180104| title= Kroonstad train crash: Search and Rescue operations halted| work=[[News24]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>
Witnesses stated that the truck failed to stop at the Jeneva level crossing,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/|title=Sanco slams ‘shocking’ loss of life in Free State train crash|last=|first=|date=5 January 2018|website=Letaba Herald|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=BBC42565653/> despite the train driver giving warning by blowing the horn. The truck, along with its two trailers, was dragged for around {{convert|400|m|ft}}.<ref name=Sky11195032/> Photographs show that a car was also crushed by the derailed train, which was travelling from [[Port Elizabeth]] to [[Johannesburg]]. The truck driver survived the collision. He tried to flee the scene but was arrested <ref name=BBC42565653>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=South Africa train crash: Four dead in truck collision |publisher=BBC News Online |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> and taken to a hospital.<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news| url= http://48373.iphonexfree.net/| title= Frantic search for survivors after South African passenger train collides with truck, killing at least 18 and injuring hundreds| work=[[Agence France-Presse]]| via=[[The Daily Telegraph]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref> At around 20:50 local time, the [[search and rescue]] was called off. Heavy machinery is expected to arrive from [[Mafikeng]] within 36 hours to recover the dead and restore rail service.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://48373.iphonexfree.net/| title= Kroonstad train crash: Search and Rescue operations halted| work=[[News24]]| date=4 January 2018| accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>


==Investigation==
==Investigation==
South Africa's [[Minister of Transport (South Africa)|Minister of Transport]] [[Joe Maswanganyi]] announced that an investigation would be launched. Maswanganyi also claimed that "Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking chances... that cost lots of lives."<ref name=Sky11195032/><ref name=Telegraph/> The [[Railway Safety Regulator]] is responsible for investigating railway accidents in South Africa.<ref name=RSR>{{cite web |url=http://rsr.org.za/Occurrence/Investigation |title=Occurrence Investigation |publisher=Railway Safety Regulator |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>
South Africa's [[Minister of Transport (South Africa)|Minister of Transport]] [[Joe Maswanganyi]] announced that an investigation would be launched. Maswanganyi also claimed that "Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking chances... that cost lots of lives."<ref name=Sky11195032/><ref name=Telegraph/> The [[Railway Safety Regulator]] is responsible for investigating railway accidents in South Africa.<ref name=RSR>{{cite web |url=http://48373.iphonexfree.net/ |title=Occurrence Investigation |publisher=Railway Safety Regulator |accessdate=4 January 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:04, 5 January 2018

Hennenman–Kroonstad train crash
Details
Date4 January 2018
09:15 local time (07:15 UTC)
LocationNear Kroonstad
Coordinates27°49′18.99″S 27°8′4.33″E / 27.8219417°S 27.1345361°E / -27.8219417; 27.1345361
CountrySouth Africa
LinePort Elizabeth - Johannesburg
OperatorShosholoza Meyl
Incident typeLevel crossing collision
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Trains1
Deaths18
Injured254

On 4 January 2018, a passenger train operated by Shosholoza Meyl collided with a truck on a level crossing near Kroonstad, South Africa. The train was derailed and seven of the carriages caught fire. Eighteen people were killed and 254 were injured.

Accident

At about 09:15 local time (07:15 UTC) on 4 January 2018,[1] a passenger train, operated by Shosholoza Meyl, collided with a truck on a level crossing between Hennenman and Kroonstad, around 200 kilometres (120 mi) south-west of Johannesburg.[2][3][4] The locomotive and twelve carriages of the train were derailed;[5] seven carriages caught fire.[6] The train was carrying 429 passengers.[5] Eighteen people were killed,[7] 254 were injured.[5]

Witnesses stated that the truck failed to stop at the Jeneva level crossing,[8][9] despite the train driver giving warning by blowing the horn. The truck, along with its two trailers, was dragged for around 400 metres (1,300 ft).[1] Photographs show that a car was also crushed by the derailed train, which was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg. The truck driver survived the collision. He tried to flee the scene but was arrested [9] and taken to a hospital.[2] At around 20:50 local time, the search and rescue was called off. Heavy machinery is expected to arrive from Mafikeng within 36 hours to recover the dead and restore rail service.[10]

Investigation

South Africa's Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi announced that an investigation would be launched. Maswanganyi also claimed that "Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking chances... that cost lots of lives."[1][2] The Railway Safety Regulator is responsible for investigating railway accidents in South Africa.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c Culbertson, Alix. "14 dead and up to 100 injured in South Africa train crash". Sky News. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Frantic search for survivors after South African passenger train collides with truck, killing at least 18 and injuring hundreds". Agence France-Presse. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018 – via The Daily Telegraph.
  3. ^ "Au moins 14 morts dans un accident de train". L'essential (in French). 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. ^ "14 dead, hundreds injured as train derails in South Africa (PHOTOS)". RT. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Mazuba, Ernest; Cowan, Kyle. "At least 20 dead in horror train crash‚ number expected to rise". Times Live. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Mop-up operations to resume after deadly Kroonstad train crash". eNews Channel Africa. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Death toll rises to 18 in Kroonstad #TrainCrash". Cape Times. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Sanco slams 'shocking' loss of life in Free State train crash". Letaba Herald. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ a b "South Africa train crash: Four dead in truck collision". BBC News Online. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Kroonstad train crash: Search and Rescue operations halted". News24. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Occurrence Investigation". Railway Safety Regulator. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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