Police had to use a sniffer dog to help rescuers find the body of a sugarcane truck driver who was killed on Tuesday when a goods train slammed into his fully-laden articulated vehicle at the Mposa level crossing between KwaMbonambi and Nseleni.
The train driver and his assistant escaped serious injury in the crash, which resulted in the locomotive and six container wagons being derailed.
The derailment caused extensive damage to the single main goods line between Richards Bay and Swaziland.
The cane truck driver apparently failed to stop while approaching the unguarded crossing, about a kilometre from the N2 highway north of Richards Bay, but the cause of the accident is still being investigated.
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Rob McGeer, owner of the nearby Reptile City crocodile and snake park, said he had heard the train hooting as it approached the crossing and saw it collide with the cane truck, hitting the cab and destroying the front trailer.
He grabbed two fire extinguishers and raced to the scene and called the emergency services. Train driver Syd Ellof and his assistant emerged from the overturned locomotive with minor injuries but were badly shaken.
Although apparently travelling slowly, the mixed goods train, travelling from Golela to Richards Bay harbour, was unable to stop before hitting the truck, whose driver could not be immediately located under the wreckage.
Spoornet investigators were on the scene soon after the crash to start their inquiry. The road was expected to be re-opened shortly, but the line would be closed for a day or two.
Richards Bay resident Evon Nieman, who had taken visitors to Reptile City, said she heard a "hell of a bang" when the train hit the truck and saw the containers "folding up".
A Spoornet spokesperson said all options would be considered to find the best way of improving safety at the crossing on the busy public road.
Police said the truck driver's body had been recovered but his name had not been released.
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This article was originally published on page 2 of The Mercury on May 31, 2006
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