Four people died when a bakkie was struck by a goods train near Lichtenburg, police said yesterday.

Four people died when a bakkie was struck by a goods train near Lichtenburg, police said yesterday.

North West police spokesman Captain Aafje Botma said the incident occurred on Saturday at about 4pm.

"It is alleged that the driver of the van failed to stop at a railway crossing.

"A goods train carrying limestone collided with the bakkie and dragged it for some distance," Botma said.

She said the bakkie carried about 20 passengers, most of whom were children aged between six and 16.

"Three passengers died on the scene, a seven-year-old died on the way to hospital and 16 people were admitted to hospital with broken limbs, serious bruises and head injuries," Botma said.

In the meantime, another person died in a goods train incident.

Botma said two men spent the night sleeping on a railway line near Brits.

"When the train came at about 5am yesterday, the driver saw the two and hooted. One man heard it and jumped out of the way, and the other didn't. He was killed instantly." - Sapa