Sixteen passengers were injured when a Ceres Rail Company tourist train made a sudden halt to avoid colliding with stationary Transnet cargo carriages at Cape Town port, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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According Ceres Rail Company, on its 160km round-trip to the Elgin Railway Market, the train departed from Cape Town on Saturday morning.
In a statement issued late Saturday, the company acknowledged the incident during the return to Table Bay Harbour.
‘This involved an emergency stop, under the control of the driver, necessitated by incorrectly set track points which were leading the train towards stationary goods wagons.
‘The sudden halt led to a rapid deceleration, resulting in a whiplash effect on the coaches, affecting both passengers and staff.
‘Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved, and we fully cooperated with emergency services, who responded promptly to assist those reporting injuries.
‘Ceres Rail Company is providing support to affected passengers and is working in close collaboration with Transnet Freight Rail to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.’
A passenger aboard with his family described the harrowing moments leading up to the incident near Harbour Bridge Platform by the Cape Town International Convention Centre that afternoon, in an interview with News24.
The passenger recounted seeing an oncoming line switch attempt before the abrupt halt sent passengers hurtling, causing doors and cabin furniture to shift.
Many were thrown forward and back against the train’s hardwood folding beds.
Medical assistance on board was minimal, with only a massage therapist and a doctor among the travellers providing aid, said the passenger.
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Picture: Ceres Rail Company / Facebook
