Minibus driver and passenger die after collision with train

The driver died on the spot. Four of the minibus passengers were seriously injured, one of whom died on admission to hospital. Eleven other people escaped with minor injuries.

A spokesperson for Beitbridge-Bulawayo Railway (BBR) said the accident occurred at 5.25 am, when the driver of the minibus failed to stop at the railway crossing to give way to a BBR goods train travelling from Bulawayo to Beitbridge.

The minibus was hit by the trains cow catcher, resulting in its being lifted up and landing on its side alongside the railway track.

The cow catcher and part of the locomotive, including steps into it, were damaged as a result of the accident. There were no injuries to any BBR staff.

The BBR spokesperson said there are speed humps on the approach to the railway level crossing to slow traffic down. The crossing is clearly marked with the Puffing Billy train picture and the St Andrews Cross railway crossing signs, all of which are mounted on poles in reflective material.

He urged motorists to exercise caution at railway crossings and to both look and listen carefully to make sure no train was approaching.

The train driver sounded, as is standard practice for all BBR trains, a long whistle 400 metres before the level crossing and a continuous whistle from 50 metres before the level crossing until the train reached the crossing, he said.

Motorists are urged to take great care when approaching railway level crossings. They should look in both directions to make sure there is no train approaching and listen too for any sound of a train whistle. Only when they have made absolutely sure that there is no train in sight should they continue across the railway crossing.

BBR officials were at the scene of the accident this morning to assess the situation and investigate the accident. Preliminary investigations suggested that the accident was due to negligence on the part of the minibus driver, who failed to give way at the crossing and drove straight into the path of the train.