Police open manslaughter case in South Africa train crash

Police open manslaughter case in South Africa train crash | iNFOnews.ca
Emergency workers and ruined carriages at the scene of a train accident near Kroonstad, South Africa, Thursday, Jan 4, 2018. South Africa's transport minister says at least 12 people died and more than 260 were injured in a collision between a truck and a passenger train. (AP Photo)

KROONSTAD, South Africa – South African police say a truck driver could be charged with manslaughter after his vehicle collided with a train, killing 18 people and injuring about 260 others.

Police official Motantsi Makhele said Friday that “a case of culpable homicide has been opened” following the crash Thursday in Free State province.

Authorities say the truck driver erred by allegedly trying to cross the tracks just ahead of the oncoming train.

Part of the train burst into flames after the collision, trapping some passengers in carriages. Makhele says a final death toll cannot be announced until a forensic investigation including DNA testing is complete.

Workers were checking under the carriages for any other remains.

The train with 429 passengers aboard had been travelling from Port Elizabeth to the country’s commercial hub, Johannesburg.

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