Train crashes into a lorry killing 18 and injuring 260

A truck towing two trailers, was crossing a level crossing between Hennenman and Kroonstad in South Africa’s Free State at about 9:15am local time (11:145am GMT) when a train carrying over 400 passengers travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg, crashed on to it killing 18 and injuring 260 people.

Several carriages burst into flames and overturned. Mithuthuzeli Swartz, acting chief executive of the state-owned passenger rail agency said “human error” caused the accident.

According witnesses the lorry and trailers were halfway across the train’s path when the crash happened dragging the lorry over 400 meters.

Miraculously the lorry driver and his assistant survived with minor injuries. Officials although, warned the casualties could rise further as the accident site is cleared.