Blue train: Signals system 'failed'
2005-10-27 09:07
Johannesburg - Five people were critically injured when two trains, the Trans Karoo express and the luxurious Blue Train, collided head-on in the Northern Cape on Wednesday night.
Two of the five were flown to Bloemfontein, Deon Madyo, the head of the Northern Cape's health department, said on Thursday.
He said the five were among 25 others who were admitted at a hospital in De Aar, about 20km from the accident scene.
"We have flown a team of doctors from Kimberley to De Aar to help there. We are currently coping with the disaster," he said, adding about 65 paramedics were at the scene.
Earlier on Thursday, the police said the Trans Karoo's driver was seriously hurt in the accident, which occurred at Deelfontein railway station, about 20km south-west of De Aar.
No fatalities
Captain Zandisile Makhuphula, the police spokesperson in De Aar, said 74 people aboard the hotel-on-wheels and 182 travelling in the Trans Karoo express were injured in various degrees. Most appear to have escaped serious injuries.
The Blue Train was travelling from De Aar to Cape while the Trans Karoo was travelling in the opposite direction, Makhuphula said.
At least two Japanese tourists number among the injured.
No one was killed in the accident.
Spoornet spokesperson Molatwane Likhethe said the Blue Train had been stationary at the time of the collision and the Trans Karoo was travelling slowly.
The accident apparently happened around 23:30 when the Blue Train, which was ahead of schedule, was whiling away time.
The Trans Karoo was apparently diverted onto the same track and the two met head-on.
The Blue Train is South Africa's premier luxury train and the Trans Karoo is the flagship Cape to Gauteng train.
80% of rail accidents take place under 'abnormal working conditions'
In 1998 and 1999, the Blue Train was voted the world's leading luxury train at the World Trade Awards. It consists of 18 carriages and can accommodate up to 84 passengers.
The last reported incident involving the train was in March 2003 when a fire gutted the interiors of three coaches, including the kitchen, lounge and dining car. It is believed the fire started in the Club Car, ironically the only carriage on the train designated as a smoking area.
The last known accident involving the Trans Karoo was about 10 years ago when it collided with a goods train, said United Transport and Allied Trade Union general secretary Chris de Vos.
"We will request the rail safety regulator and the chief executive of Spoornet, Siyabonga Gama, to include our union as part of the investigation because both train drivers are our members and we want to ensure that this is not a finger pointing exercise and that we look at the real cause of the accident to prevent such an incident again," De Vos said.
He added 80% of rail accidents took place when "abnormal working conditions" prevailed.
He was informed that the accident resulted from a failure in the signals system and the absence of a back-up system to prevent human failure.
"Whenever abnormal working conditions prevail, managers should immediately get involved to ensure there is a back up for human failure. Our information is this did not take place."
A Spoornet team, including Likhethe, left Johannesburg just after 03:00 by helicopter to visit the scene. By 08:00 they were still under way.
- SAPA