The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has announced it will establish an independent board of inquiry to investigate the cause of a train and trailer truck collision in the Free State earlier this month.
RSR chairperson Nomusa Qunta noted that the board would assist in establishing the reasons for the fire which broke out on five coaches of the train after it had derailed. It will also look at what can be done to avoid similar incidents in future.
Additionally it will probe the “appropriateness” of the line of sight for both the truck and train driver.
She pointed out that preliminary findings had ruled out lack of protection at the level crossing – where the incident had occurred – as a reason for the crash and found that the train had been driving well below the section speed in that area.
The driver of the truck also tested negative for alcohol and there were no noticeable signs of diesel spillage.
The board of inquiry is expected to start its work within two weeks and complete it in about three months.
