Lucky escape after goods train hits bakkie at Apiesdoring
The truck was carrying farmworkers to farms in Maroni.
A truck driver and his passengers were lucky to escape with their lives when the vehicle was hit by a goods
train on the Apiesdoring and Ga-Manoke road last Wednesday.
The driver of a Kia truck, and about 10 passengers, were taken to Dilokong Hospital with minor injuries.
No other people were reported injured in the incident. The truck was carrying farmworkers to farms in
Maroni.
The Limpopo SAPS confirmed the collision which happened at about 06.00.
“We reiterate that motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should take utmost care when approaching level crossings,” said one of the emergency officials at the scene.
Both sides of the railway tracks were closed for most of the day.
Limpopo SAPS said the cause of the accident was unclear and would be investigated.
“The truck driver crossed the railway line without having a proper look and as a result
the train hit him,” alleged one of the first people to arrive at the scene.
According to officials from Transnet, at speed a full train will take up to 500m to stop in an emergency.
“It has to be remembered that trains legally have right of way at road rail level crossings. Motorists also needed to
bear in mind that trains operate on fixed infrastructure and cannot take evasive action during emergencies,’’ they said.
