Human error likely cause of Durban train collision: Peters

24 June 2016 - 14:24 By TMG Digital

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said on Friday that preliminary indications pointed to human error as being the reason for a head-on collision between two trains in Durban.The Metrorail trains collided between Havenside and Merebank under a bridge‚ south of Durban‚ on Thursday afternoon.Durban Police assist in rescue after Lamontville train crash https://t.co/xz2h6Msqfa@SAPoliceServicepic.twitter.com/agW967nXwh— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 24, 2016asyncPeters said that human error on the part of a train control officer could have led to the crash as both trains had been allowed to run on a single line. “I can confirm that the other line was closed due to routine maintenance and upgrade work taking place on the rail network‚” said Peters‚ adding that no technical faults had‚ to date‚ been detected.One hundred and twenty one passengers‚ including two drivers and two Metrorail guards‚ suffered minor injuries and were released from hospital after being treated.Seven other passengers are still being treated in various hospitals in and around Durban.The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) had a technical team on site‚ working through the night on the lines‚ one of which was re-opened at 4am on Friday. The other line was expected to open later on Friday.The extent of damage to the rolling stock is yet to be determined.Peters confirmed that a joint board of enquiry will be set up by Prasa and Transnet to fully investigate the cause of the collision. ..

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