TIL Desk/World/Johannesburg/ A passenger train smashed into a truck at a level crossing in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 14 people, injuring 180 and throwing several carriages off the rails. Flames ripped through the twisted wreckage and choking black smoke rose into the air as desperate passengers clambered out of the train to escape the inferno.
Rescuers rushed to the scene to search for survivors and treat the injured. Officials warned the toll could rise as operations continued to clear the crash site. “Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking chances… that cost lots of lives,” Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi told reporters at the scene.
“The truck driver has been taken to hospital where we are going to do a blood test to verify if he was sober or not, or what was the problem.” The Shosholoza Meyl rail company, which operates long- distance trains in South Africa, said the train travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg collided with the truck at about 09:00 am (0700 GMT).
It said in a statement that the truck had made an “untimely” crossing of the tracks when it was hit by a train at high speed, between the towns of Hennenman and Kroonstad, 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
