* Truck hit by train, cut in half
* Victims were farm workers
* Train, carrying coal, was not derailed
(Adds details from emergency services)
By Peroshni Govender
JOHANNESBURG, July 13 (Reuters) – A train ploughed into a
truck packed with farm workers at a level crossing in eastern
South Africa on Friday, cutting it in half and killing at least
19 people who were on their way to pick fruit, police and
emergency services said.
Police spokesman Joseph Mabusa said it appeared the truck
driver had badly miscalculated when crossing the track, leaving
his vehicle directly in the path of a freight train carrying
coal to Mozambique. It was too early to say precisely what
happened however, he added.
“It is a very gruesome scene. Some bodies are without heads
and some without limbs. Forensic teams are still working on the
scene,” said Mabusa.
The impact carried the truck 200 metres, dismembering the
trucks’ occupants, thus making it hard for forensic experts to
say exactly how many people had been killed, he added.
“The driver was taken to hospital. His condition is
unknown,” said Mabusa.
Continued…
