Train crash: human error blamed

2009-12-10 19:12

Johannesburg - Human error was partly to blame for the collision between two Shosholoza Meyl passenger trains on Monday in the North West, the train company said on Thursday.

Shosholoza Meyl said a preliminary internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident had been conducted.

It had found that human error was partly to blame for the accident, however, the final report would be tabled by the Railway Safety Regulator, it said in a statement.

Shosholoza Meyl said it was aware of people visiting hospitals where the injured were taken on the pretext that they were employees of the group wanting to assist the victims with their claims.

"Shosholoza Meyl has set up a structure to assist the affected passengers with their claims, the victims are therefore advised not to give information to such people and to contact the Shosholoza Meyl Call Centre regarding assistance with their claims," CEO Viwe Mlenzana said.

Management was helping the families of the deceased, "to give support and assist them financially in the preparation for the funerals", he said.

One person died and 107 were injured in the accident.

The trains involved were the Trans Karoo and Tourist class trains travelling between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
 

- SAPA