Hectorspruit level crossing accident
| Hectorspruit level crossing accident | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 13 July 2012 |
| Time | 07:00 |
| Location | Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga |
| Country | South Africa |
| Operator | Transnet |
| Type of incident | Level crossing accident |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Deaths | 25 or 26 |
The Hectorspruit level crossing accident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on 13 July 2012, when a Witbank to Maputo coal train collided with a truck on a controlled level crossing near Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa.[1]
Overview
The truck was carrying 44 seasonal farm workers[1] engaged mainly in picking citrus crops in the region.[2] There were 25[2][3] or 26[1] fatalities among the truck's occupants, and several others were injured.[3] Immediately after the collision, the truck was dragged by the train for about 200 metres (660 ft); bodies of accident victims were left scattered on the ground, with limbs missing.[3]
On the same day, the Minister for Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, and Transnet officials visited the collision scene, on the line between Malelane and Hectorspruit. They were satisfied that all level crossing safety measures were in place at the time of the accident. According to one official, the train driver "even hooted to let the [truck] driver know that he was approaching".[1]
The South African cabinet sent its condolences to the families of the victims.[4] Additionally, senior government officials visited them to offer their support. Most of the families could not afford to bury their loved ones without assistance. “These are really poor families and it is incumbent upon government to show the necessary care and to support these families with all the means to ensure that the funeral of their children is conducted in a befitting manner,” said Mr Gigaba.[5]
The driver of the truck, George Mandlazi, 32, was arrested immediately after being treated and discharged from hospital. He was charged with 25 counts of murder.[2][3] Witnesses claimed that Mandlazi had failed to stop at the level crossing.[2]
When Mandlazi first appeared in court, the charges against him were reduced from murder to culpable homicide, and he was remanded in police custody, to allow him time to get a legal representative. However, the murder charges were reinstated on 17 July 2012, when Mandlazi appeared in court again, and was denied bail.[3][4]
See also
- Faure level crossing accident
- List of level crossing accidents
- List of rail accidents (2010–2019)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "South Africa: Mpuma Crash Toll Reaches 26". allAfrica. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Police say truck driver is charged with murder". SABC News. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "No bail for train crash truck driver". IOL News. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Cabinet sends condolences to crash victims' families". SAnews.gov.za. South African Government News Agency. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ↑ "Govt to cover burial costs for train crash victims: Gigaba". SABC News. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
Coordinates: 25°27′3″S 31°39′39″E / 25.45083°S 31.66083°E
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