One person has died and about 50 others injured when two Metrorail trains collided in Elandsfontein early on Thursday morning.

Metrorail Gauteng confirmed that it had halted operations in east Johannesburg after the collision although it was not immediately able to confirm the number of dead or injured.

However, paramedic services ER24 said a man, believed to be a driver of one of the trains, had died and around 50 people injured in the accident which saw a number of carriages leaning to the side.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said: “A man was killed and approximately 50 others injured this morning when a train rear-ended another at the Elandsfontein station in the east of Johannesburg.

“ER24 paramedics, along with several other services, arrived on the scene and found numerous carriages of the trains leaning to their sides. Numerous passengers were found seated inside the train, as well as walking around on the scene.

Meiring said rescue personnel immediately set up a staging area while local authorities began to divert traffic from the area.

“Upon closer inspection, paramedics discovered that one of the drivers of the trains had sustained fatal injuries and showed no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the man and he was declared dead on the scene.

“Approximately 50 other patients were found on the scene with injuries ranging from minor to moderate,” Meiring added.
“Paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported them to various hospitals in the area for further treatment.”

Metrorail acting spokesperson, Tony Games, said: “Metrorail confirms a rear-end train collision between two trains, T0601 and 1817, at Elandsfontein. Overhead power on all four lines is off from Germiston to Kempton Park.”

“Trains running in the affected sections will remain stationery until the technical team on the ground declares an alternative line that is safe for train movement. It is still early to confirm any injuries as I am on my way there to meet the technical team on the ground.”

Games said Metrorail would like to thank all loyal customers for their understanding and apologised for the inconvenience the accident may cause. The cause of the accident was also being investigated

Metrorail Gauteng has halted operations in east Johannesburg after two trains collided in Elandsfontein early on Thursday morning. The number of injuries could not immediately be confirmed.

“Metrorail confirms a rear-end train collision between two trains, T0601 and 1817, at Elandsfontein. Overhead power on all four lines is off from Germiston to Kempton Park,” Metrorail acting spokesperson, Tony Games said.

“Trains running in the affected sections will remain stationery until the technical team on the ground declares an alternative line that is safe for train movement. It is still early to confirm any injuries as I am on my way there to meet the technical team on the ground.”

Games said Metrorail would like to thank all loyal customers for their understanding and apologised for the inconvenience the accident may cause. The cause of the accident was also being investigated.