Emergency workers on the scene of the metrorail accident. Photo by Margo Fortune.
24 October 2012
Metrorail passengers were caught unaware when the train from Cape Town en route to Strand stopped abruptly at Mutual Station last night.
After a 20 minute wait passengers forced doors open and jumped approximately two meters to the ground. An unidentified male in his early forties was laying face down under the trains’ wheels. A big crowd gathered as emergency services and police tried to assess the situation.
According to Captain Van Ede from Pinelands SAPS the man is still unidentified and police are investigating. His fingerprints have been taken to see if this will reveal his identity.
Van Ede also stated that police are still unsure about the circumstances of the incident. “At this point we don’t know if it was a suicide or an accident.” The man’s remains were taken to Salt River mortuary.
Metrorail Regional manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz described the incident as tragic and confirmed that circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be confirmed, but it seems like the man tried to cross the line before the approaching train. Swartz said that people should take utmost care when crossing railway tracks and should only use authorized crossings like subways and overhead bridges for their own safety and to prevent tragedy. One train was cancelled and four delayed as a result of the police investigation.