Perilous Times
Train hits van in South Africa; kills at least 9 kids
By ERIC NAKI
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 25, 2010; 6:32 AM
JOHANNESBURG -- A driver taking children to school went around a closed
railroad crossing gate Wednesday, then collided with an oncoming train
that killed at least nine pupils and injured five others, police and
witnesses said.
Parents sobbed at the scene as grieving families stood near the
completely smashed van that had been transporting at least 13 children
at the time of the collision in the Blackheath area of Cape Town.
Cape Town police spokesman Col. Billy Jones said police are
investigating a case of homicide against the van driver.
The van driver was seriously injured and rushed to the hospital, police
said.
An initial investigation into the crash showed that all protection
measures were in place at the crossing, railway officials told the
South African Press Association.
"The crossing is protected by road signs, flashing lights and booms,
which were confirmed to be in working order," railway officials said in
a statement.
Emergency services spokesman Andri Visser said four children survived
the collision and were taken to a hospital.
South African road fatality rates are among the highest in the world.
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Associated Press writer Mia Snyman contributed to this report.