Another person has died following a collision between a train and truck in Mpumalanga on Friday morning, bringing the death toll to 20, paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesman Jeff Wicks said 23 farm workers were injured, some critically.

The truck had been carrying the workers on the N4 when it collided with the train at a level crossing between Malelane and Hectorspruit, at 7am.

Provincial community safety department spokesman Joseph Mabuza said the train dragged the truck for about 200 metres, leaving bodies with limbs missing scattered on the ground.

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) said the coal train had been travelling from Witbank to Maputo. RSR spokesman Sibongiseni Henna said there were 44 people on the truck.

“No injuries to the train crew or damage to the train or [railway] infrastructure were registered,” he said.

Safety inspectors were at the scene.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesman Patrick Craven said the accident was an example of poor labour practices.

“This terrible tragedy exposes once again the scandal of workers bring transported in open trucks. In a country where drivers and passengers of cars are legally obliged to wear seatbelts, how can we tolerate workers being transported with absolutely no protection in the event of an accident?”  He called for a full inquiry into the cause of the accident.

Condolences poured in on Friday for the families of the crash victims.

Cabinet spokesman Jimmy Manyi expressed sadness over the accident.

“One death is one too many. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the farm workers.” 

The Democratic Alliance wished those injured a speedy recovery. Spokesman Mmusi Maimane said efforts should be doubled to increase safety at level crossings.“My colleague in Mpumalanga, DA provincial leader Anthony Benadie, will be taking this matter up in the provincial legislature. Incidents like these should not be happening in South Africa,” he said.

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Wed May 22 01:41:17 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 13, 2012

Galfrend

IProvincial community safety department spokesman Joseph Mabuza said the train dragged the truck for about 200 metres, leaving bodies with limbs missing scattered on the ground.

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*crying* Condolonces to the affected families ...when is this going to end kodwa Nkosiyam?

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Jul 13, 2012

Mellow

“One death is one too many. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the farm workers.”
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True one too many am not sure what the driver was thinking ppl should just butt off railway crossings...condolences to the families to think that some of those ppl were breadwinners aaaghhh shame

@Maezi how many counts now?

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Jul 13, 2012

GODESS

Hay nkosi yam, may their souls rest in peace and my heartfelt condolences to the family.
Sorrows are like twins, let them come and go like clouds.
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Jul 13, 2012

Gufet

Just hope the driver is alive so that s/he can live with the memory of the people they killed! Lock them up n throw away da key!
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Jul 13, 2012

GORRILAH

Eish its Friday the 13th today. Thats the day where very bad things will happen. But why didnt the truck driver see that the train was coming eish and u will find that he doesnt have a liecence or he bought it. Whoever will comment after me will die today. REMBER ITS FRIDAY THE 13TH A CURSED DAY. RIP
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Jul 13, 2012

mthosam

Who cares, tell me sowetan do you care, tell me Union do you care. do we have traffic officers on our roads. what is dept of roads and transport' statement. All dept, Unions, NGO are not caring. Law of Jungle.
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Jul 13, 2012

moralett

The driver must explain, i have believe that before you can cross the rail way line the is warning to show you that you must observe. The driver he was not in that condition. They must take his drivers licence and he must be suspended in South African raod for 20 years. condolence to the families that have lost they love one, kind who lost the Father, mother, sister, brothers
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