20/08/2024
THE MINISTER VISITED TRAIN ACCIDENT SCENE
The Minister of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, conducted a site visit to Postmasburg in the Northern Cape in the wake of a tragic train accident that claimed the lives of four people. The Postmasburg SAPS is investigating after a train crashed into a bakkie at a railway crossing near Groenwater. The incident occurred between Postmasburg and Groenwater in the Northern Cape when a train collided with a bakkie at a railway crossing. According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the collision occurred at around 15:00. Ehlers said that the bakkie, carrying 12 passengers, was attempting to cross the railway tracks when it was hit by an oncoming train. It was reported that the vehicle had apparently stalled on the tracks, prompting some of the adults to jump off in an attempt to push it clear. Tragically, four individuals lost their lives at the scene. Among the victims were two women, the male driver of the bakkie, and a six-year-old boy. Additionally, three other people sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the collision. Expressing her grief, Ramokgopa emphasised the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to enhance railway level crossing safety. “I am saddened at the loss of life in another level crossing accident in the country. This tragic accident highlights the importance for all stakeholders to work together to promote railway level crossing safety. I would like to express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased passengers,” Ramokgopa said. Bonamy Krohn
