Train crash toll set at 19
THE death toll in the Kroonstad train and truck crash at about 9am on January 4 has been confirmed at 19, Free State police said yesterday.
The death toll in the accident has remained a subject of speculation since its occurrence due to the condition of the bodies of the victims, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said.
Forensic tests on the extremities retrieved in the burnt train carriages were conducted on Friday, and by the end of the day it was confirmed that 19 bodies could be accounted for. These were eight men, five women, and four girl. Two more were unidentifiable.
“The post-mortem will resume soon and forensic experts from Pretoria have been roped in to assist with DNA comparisons that will assist in identifying the bodies. The families will be informed of the place where they will converge for tests,” he said.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) had established a 24-hour line – 011 544 9623 – families could call to inquire about their loved ones who were on board the train.
It is alleged that the truck driver crossed the railway line without stopping, causing the crash.
Earlier, Prasa said the train was travelling to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth when it collided with the truck at a level crossing.
Apart from the 19 deaths, about 164 passengers were hospitalised with only two still remaining in hospital on Friday.
Buses were arranged to move 416 passengers from the scene of the accident to continue their journey.
Prasa was expected to have the site cleared by Saturday and the full service activated by today.