CT train crash: Woman driver!
2003-11-17 10:17
Marlene Malan
Cape Town - The train that smashed through a wall at the Cape Town station last month was caused by negligence and not technical failure, a commission of inquiry has found.
The commission found that train driver Deidre Manuals failed to apply the brakes in time, sending a commuter train through a wall. She was, however, qualified to drive a train, it was found.
Fifty-three people were treated for injuries and shock. Manuals was also treated in hospital, but released a day later.
Metrorail area manager Andre Harrison at the weekend said the report did not single out women, but women sometimes did have a problem juggling a job and home.
He said women only recently entered the formerly male occupation. Women needed to rest enough between shifts to ensure that they didn't have to operate under too much pressure.
He said Metrorail would institute a lifestyle management system for female drivers.
- Die Burger