Sandiso Phaliso
A TEENAGER was killed and another seriously injured when they were struck by a train as they allegedly crossed the White Road level crossing between Retreat and Steenberg railway stations on a bicycle yesterday, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) say.
The boys, aged 15 and 17, were allegedly riding on a bike and apparently did not see the train, EMS spokesperson Robert Daniels said.
Daniels said paramedics declared the 17-year-old boy, who had severe head injuries, dead on the scene.
Metrorail said there have been three accidents on the same level crossing this year and last year 45 incidents were reported – some of them recorded as near-misses.
ER24 spokesperson Pieter Rossouw said: “Unfortunately there was nothing that paramedics could do for him. The other boy sustained critical injuries, including various fractures and head injuries.”
The 15-year-old was rushed to Grootte Schuur Hospital.
Witness Naboeweya Jochems posted on Facebook that he was waiting at a stop street when he saw one of the boys lifting another boy on his bicycle’s handlebars down Daisy Hill Road, joking and laughing as they pedalled feet in the air.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said a culpable homicide case was being investigated.
Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said southern suburbs trains were allowed to use one line for bi-directional traffic for the duration of their on-site police investigation and there were no train cancellations.
“The incident happened off-peak and resultant delays were on average seven minutes. The line was re-opened at 15:40 before afternoon peak hour,” said Scott.
Scott said motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should note that a train has right of way at road or rail level crossing intersections.
“It is important to bear in mind that trains operate on fixed infrastructure. They are unable to take evasive action during emergencies.”