Johannesburg | Monday
TWO young girls, who were injured in the train crash near Koppies in the Free State, were on Sunday night in a stable condition after undergoing surgery at the Medi-Clinic in Vereeniging.
Hospital representative Melinda Pelser said a toe on the left foot of a 10-year old girl, Nomthandazo Ngwetsheni, was amputated and three other toes required surgery.
Nomthandazo’s 64-year-old grandmother was also being treated in the hospital.
A 15-year-old girl, Sharn Venables, also underwent surgery on Sunday night to repair fractures in her left lower leg. Pelser said her condition was stable.
A fourth patient, 16-year-old Elizabeth Ann de Beer, who sustained serious injuries, was still in the Intensive Care Unit.
Pelser said she suffered multiple fractures of her pelvis, injuries to her liver and lacerations to her face and legs.
Seven other people who were injured in the accident, were discharged after treatment.
The Kroon Hospital in Kroonstand said only one patient was still being treated there.
Two were admitted, but one was discharged after treatment.
Seven people, three adults and four children were killed when nine coaches of the 18-coach Shosholoza Meyl train travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg derailed and concertinaed outside the Greenlands station near Koppies in the northern Free State on Sunday morning.
The driver was not hurt, but would receive counselling for shock.
Over 40 people were treated at the scene for whiplash, cuts and bruises.
Spoornet representative Mike Asefovitz said his company had set up a distress line for worried relatives and had dispatched people to Johannesburg Station to inform relatives and friends of developments.
Accident investigator Dave van der Meulen had already been sent to the scene.
Trains would use an alternate route and slight delays were anticipated. – Sapa