A man was killed and 42 people injured when two Metrorail trains collided north of Kempton Park on Friday night, Ekurhuleni emergency services said.
Spokesperson Sugan Naidoo said the accident happened just after 7pm between the Pinedene and Olifantsfontein stations when two trains that were both on their way to Pretoria collided.
Metrorail spokesperson Thokozani Zitha said one train rear-ended the other. She said an investigation would be conducted to establish the cause of the accident.
Of those hurt, two were in a critical condition, while five others were seriously hurt. Three of the injured were train crew.
The man killed was a commuter, North Rand police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said. The victim’s name would only be released once the family had been informed. Three coaches were extensively damaged, he said.
Zitha said Metrorail’s technical staff would work around the clock to clear up the scene. The railway line was closed and the electricity has been switched off.
”We will work the whole weekend to repair the line, so we hope that it will be operational again at the latest on Monday.”
She said Metrorail would supply busses for commuters between the Irene and Kraaifontein stations until the line was reopened.
The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) on Saturday welcomed news that an investigation had been launched into the crash and said the union would launch its own inquiry.
Utatu general secretary Chris de Vos said the accident happened while the signals were not functioning and train drivers had to rely on communication from a train control officer, known as ”abnormal working”.
”The investigation will determine why the signals were not working, whether it was cable theft or electrical problems. Once you fall back on abnormal working you can’t rely on signals. Eighty percent of accidents take place during this time,” De Vos said.
”I spoke to the train driver in hospital and he ensured me that he was authorised to pass the signal and that the line was clear. The question that arises now is why was there miscommunication.” — Sapa