Four people died when a bakkie failed to stop at a railway crossing and was struck by a goods train near Lichtenburg, North West police said on Sunday.
Spokesperson Captain Aafje Botma said the incident occurred on Saturday at about 4pm.
”It is alleged that a driver of a van failed to stop at Ituteng/Springbok Pan railway crossing.
”A goods train carrying limestone collided with the bakkie and dragged it for some distance,” Botma said.
She said the bakkie had about 20 passengers, most of whom were children aged between six and 16.
”Three of the passengers died on the scene, and a seven-year-old died on the way to hospital.”
Botma said 16 people were admitted to the Thusong Hospital at Springbok Pan with broken limbs, serious bruises and head injuries.
She said a culpable homicide case would be opened against the driver.
Meanwhile, in another incident, a man was killed by a train at Kleinsfontein near Brits.
Botma said two men had spent a night sleeping on the railway tracks.
”When the train came at about 5am, the driver saw the two and sounded the hooter.
”One of the two heard it and jumped out of the way, and the other didn’t. He was killed instantly,” she said. – Sapa