/ 11 July 2007

Twenty injured as truck smashes into train

At least 20 people were injured when a truck collided with a train in Pretoria West on Wednesday, paramedics said.

ER24 spokesperson Riana Beech said the 20-tonne truck had been travelling along Roger Dyson Road in Pretoria West when its brakes are believed to have failed, causing the driver to lose control.

”The truck lost control, and it ran down an embankment towards the tracks where there was an approaching train at about 6am.”

The approaching train then crashed into the truck.

The truck driver managed to escape from the vehicle and at least 20 commuters on the train were injured.

”The injured where taken to the Tshwane District and Kalafong hospitals in a stable condition.

Pretoria police spokesperson Inspector Paul Ramaloko said the passenger train was travelling from the Pretoria West station to Atteridgeville.

Police were investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving. – Sapa