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Hennenman–Kroonstad train crash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hennenman–Kroonstad train crash
crash site is located in South Africa

Location of Kroonstad in South Africa
Date 4 January 2018
Time 09:15 local time (07:15 UTC)
Location Near Kroonstad
Coordinates 27°49′19″S 27°8′4″ECoordinates: 27°49′19″S 27°8′4″E
Country South Africa
Rail line Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg
Operator Shosholoza Meyl
Type of incident Level crossing collision
Cause Under investigation
Statistics
Trains 1
Passengers 429
Deaths 18
Injuries 254

On 4 January 2018, a passenger train operated by Shosholoza Meyl collided with a truck on a level crossing near Kroonstad, Free State, South Africa. The train was derailed and seven of the carriages caught fire. Eighteen people were killed and 254 people were injured.
Accident

At about 09:15 local time (07:15 UTC) on 4 January 2018,[1] a passenger train, operated by Shosholoza Meyl, collided with a truck on a level crossing between Hennenman and Kroonstad, around 200 kilometres (120 mi) south-west of Johannesburg.[2][3][4] The locomotive and twelve carriages of the train were derailed;[5] seven carriages caught fire.[6] The train was carrying 429 passengers.[5] Eighteen people were killed[7] and 254 were injured.[5]

Witnesses stated that the truck failed to stop at the Jeneva level crossing,[8][9] despite the train driver giving warning by blowing the horn. The truck, along with its two trailers, was dragged for around 400 metres (1,300 ft).[1] Photographs show that a car was also crushed by the derailed train, which was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg. The truck driver survived the collision. He tried to flee the scene but was arrested [9] and taken to a hospital.[2] At around 20:50 local time, the search and rescue was called off. Heavy machinery is expected to arrive from Mafikeng within 36 hours to recover the dead and restore rail service.[10]
Investigation

South Africa's Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi announced that an investigation would be launched. Maswanganyi also said that "Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking chances... that cost lots of lives."[1][2] The Railway Safety Regulator is responsible for investigating railway accidents in South Africa.[11]