/ 30 August 2010

Taxi driver arrested following Cape horror crash

Police on Sunday arrested the driver of a minibus taxi that crashed into an oncoming train, claiming the lives of 10 children, and charged him with culpable homicide.

“He was discharged from hospital today [Sunday] at about three o’clock and he was arrested immediately by the detective at the hospital,” said police spokesperson Colonel Billy Jones.

The taxi was carrying children to school when it was hit by the train near Cape Town after the 55-year-old driver allegedly drove around a lowered boom at a crossing.

Nine children died on Wednesday at the scene of the accident, while another child died two days later in hospital.

The driver will appear in court on Tuesday and could face murder charges, said Jones.

“We will consult with the DPP’s [director of public prosecutions] office and the charge might change to murder but at this stage for the first appearance it’s going to be culpable homicide.” — AFP