Johannesburg - Two passenger trains collided head-on, injuring 70 people in Lamontville, south of Durban on Thursday, ER24 said.
“Shortly after 3pm paramedics were called where they found one of the trains partially derailed and the other with severe damage to one of its coaches,” said ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak.
Several passengers from the trains were found either sitting or lying next to the railway tracks.
Vermaak said approximately 70 people were being treated for, among others, lacerations, possible spinal injuries, and soft tissue injuries.
“It is believed that they got out of the train shortly after the collision.”
He said a medical triage station was erected on the scene where patients were assessed before being transported to the Prince Mshiyeni and Inkosi Albert Luthuli hospitals.
“There are no reports of fatalities or critical injuries at the moment,” he said.
The exact cause for the collision is not yet known. Local authorities are on the scene.
African News Agency