Between 150 and 200 people are being transported to various hospitals after a train crash in Tembisa this afternoon.

The train passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries in the head-on collision and are being treated on the scene by various emergency services, Emer-G-Med’s Max Cohen said.

According to ER24’s Russel Meiring, passengers had already started climbing out of the train and were scattered around the scene when they arrived.

“On further inspection, paramedics discovered a body lying trapped inside the wreckage. Unfortunately, nothing more could be done and the patient was declared dead on the scene,” Meiring added.

Emergency services immediately set up a triage area so patients could be effectively assessed and treated. Paramedics treated the patients on scene and thereafter transported them to nearby facilities for further care.

Emergency services are still on the scene and will be for some time due to the number of patients, Meiring added.

Ekurhuleni executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, has passed his condolences to the man who died in this afternoon’s train crash.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim. We wish to also take this opportunity to wish the tens of people who were injured in the crash a speedy recovery,” said a disturbed Masina.

“This is a sad incident indeed. We are extremely saddened and disturbed by the loss of life and the accident in general. Hopefully investigations will explain what transpired and such incidents are avoided going forward.”

The patients are being taken to Tembisa Hospital as well as other surrounding medical facilities.

The exact number of injured people is unclear as the different emergency services give different estimates, but it seems the figure is well above 100.