Pupils quizzed on train derailment

FOR the second time this week, a passenger train derailed, believed to be as a result of a tyre being placed on the railway track by school children.

A woman sustained minor injuries yesterday when the train, travelling from Kapteinsklip, derailed between Mitchells Plain and Lentegeur stations.

Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said: “Initial reports attribute the derailment to a tyre placed on the tracks. However, a full investigation is under way. Eyewitness accounts implicate pupils from a nearby school.

“Metrorail Protection Services officials have handed over some pupils to SAPS to obtain their statements on the incident.”

Scott added that the woman who was injured was struck by a stone. “No injuries were reported as a result of the derailment but a woman sustained minor injuries on board when she was struck by a stone flung at the same train shortly before the incident. She was taken to a nearby day hospital for treatment.”

Scott said inbound and outbound train traffic operated on one line between Philippi and Kapteinsklip and travelling time extended beyond an hour.

Earlier this week, a train collided with a diesel tanker near Kraaifontein.

Passengers travelling home during peak-hour traffic escaped a near fiery death when the train and a diesel tanker with a trailer collided at a level crossing on Tuesday.

The train struck the diesel tanker, which was empty.

Had it been full, many people could have lost their lives, said provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa.

The crash derailed the train, leaving 10 people injured, including both drivers, and hundreds delayed for hours.

The Wellington line was closed in both directions.

Mop-up operations lasted into Wednesday.

Police spokesperson André Traut said it had not received any information on the latest incident.