Initiates jump to their death to escape train

File picture: Independent Media

File picture: Independent Media

Published Dec 21, 2017

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Kimberley - Four boys, believed to have been on their way to an initiation school in the Northern Cape, have died after jumping off a bridge, apparently to avoid a train.

While details of the incident were sketchy on Wednesday, it is believed that the incident occurred on Monday evening, when seven boys, whose identities and ages are still unknown, were apparently walking from Pampierstad towards Warrenton, where they were reportedly supposed to have joined an initiation school.

The group was walking across a railway bridge when they noticed an oncoming train. Four of the seven apparently jumped off the bridge in an attempt to avoid the train, with three falling to their deaths.

One of the males was killed on the scene, after being hit by the train.

The remaining two members of the group have since disappeared and the police have apparently been unable to locate them.

Police yesterday confirmed that a case of culpable homicide had been opened following the death of the one male who was hit by the train, and that inquests had been opened in connection with the three who died after jumping off the bridge.

“It is alleged that on the night of Monday, December 18 2017, seven males were on walking from Pampierstad to Warrenton.

“They had to cross a railway bridge where a train apparently hit one of them. The other four jumped off the bridge out of fear and landed on a hard surface, resulting in three of them being fatally injured.

“Two of the seven have not been located and their whereabouts and details are not known,” police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, said yesterday.

She requested anyone who may have information about the incidents to contact the Warrenton Police Station on 053 497 4101.

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