A Johannesburg-based train expert said he was not surprised by the head-on collision between a passenger and goods train near Berlin yesterday.
Former train driver Louis Brockett, who has 51 years experience in the rail industry, said Shosholoza Meyl did not have mechanisms in place to avoid such crashes.
He said there were three possible cause of the accident.
“The accident could have been caused by an incorrect authority for the trains to proceed without the go-ahead of the train control officer,” said Brockett, who spent 28 years driving Shosholoza Meyl and Freight trains in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The second scenario is that there might have been miscommunication between staff to pass the crossway.
“The third scenario is lack of supervision.”
He said trains travelled on a single main line and the line interchanged along the way.
“This is where the crossway is found and only a train control officer can give permission for the crossway to be passed,” Brockett said.
He lambasted Shosholoza Meyl for not having mechanisms in place to avert such a disaster.
DA provincial transport spokesman Marshall von Buchenroder said the incident should be fully investigated by Transnet and Prasa.
He commended traffic officials, medical emergency personnel and the police for their speedy reaction in attending to the sceneq. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Expert blames Shosholoza Meyl
Former train driver Louis Brockett, who has 51 years experience in the rail industry, said Shosholoza Meyl did not have mechanisms in place to avoid such crashes.
He said there were three possible cause of the accident.
“The accident could have been caused by an incorrect authority for the trains to proceed without the go-ahead of the train control officer,” said Brockett, who spent 28 years driving Shosholoza Meyl and Freight trains in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The second scenario is that there might have been miscommunication between staff to pass the crossway.
“The third scenario is lack of supervision.”
He said trains travelled on a single main line and the line interchanged along the way.
“This is where the crossway is found and only a train control officer can give permission for the crossway to be passed,” Brockett said.
He lambasted Shosholoza Meyl for not having mechanisms in place to avert such a disaster.
DA provincial transport spokesman Marshall von Buchenroder said the incident should be fully investigated by Transnet and Prasa.
He commended traffic officials, medical emergency personnel and the police for their speedy reaction in attending to the sceneq. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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