Nineteen people were killed and 24 others were injured, four critically, when a truck carrying farm workers was struck by a train at a level crossing near Hectorspruit in Mpumalanga, paramedics said.
According to Netcare 911 spokesman Jeff Wicks, the cause of the accident was unclear and would be investigated by police.
Wicks said it appeared that the truck had passed over the level crossing and was hit by the train.
The force of impact saw the truck cleaved and flung from the railway line.
Paramedics arrived at the scene to find the injured lying amongst the dead. They immediately set about treating the wounded while calling for more personnel to assist, Wicks said.
The injured will be transported to medical facilities in the area . IOL