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A commuter train from Wellington crashed at Cape Town station during the morning rush hour today, smashing through the wall behind the buffers, crossing the walkway and coming to a halt behind the shops on the main concourse.

The driver, a woman, was seriously injured and has been taken to hospital along with 14 others. No deaths were reported.

Reporters on the scene said the situation was chaotic, with commuters in shock, others wandering around bewildered, and station security confused and disorganised.

The front coach was extensively damaged, and those behind it were also damaged.

Witnesses said the train, believed to be the 3514 from Wellington due in at Platform 8 at 8.06am, did not slow as it approached the buffers, and it was speculated that the brakes had failed.

Immediately after the accident several platforms were cordoned off, and commuters were diverted from the main entrance. Later the entire main building of the station was evacuated.

By 9.30am Metrorail accident investigators were on the scene collecting information and talking to witnesses.

Cobus Dowry, MEC for Local Government, who is responsible for local disaster management said the city's Disaster Management Centre had been activated and was in direct contact with the operations centre at the station.

Deena Wagner, 21, of Brackenfell, was in the second carriage. "We were getting ready to get off but it didn't feel like the train was slowing down.

"And then all of a sudden there was a loud bang and all the people went flying across the floor and we all crashed into the seats. I was shocked. People standing on the platform outside told us to jump out the windows. The other passengers were screaming and crying and everyone was hysterical.

"I've never been in an accident and I would never have thought something like this could happen. It was very scary.

"The funny thing was I was quite pleased when I got on to the train at Brackenfell and saw the driver was a woman."

Chief officer of the Metro rescue said the emergency services got the call about 8.12am.


Information from Cape Town station's information office was sketchy, with Metrorail communications nanager Riana Jacobs on the scene. "No, I can't talk to you now. We'll issue a press statement later," she said and hung up.

Naomi Struben, who was on Platform 5 when the accident happened, said the noise was tremendous.

"It sounded like thunder. People ducked because they thought it was a bomb.

"There was dust all over and the station lights flickered. It all happened so quickly."

Guy Meaker, 26, who was travelling on the Southern Suburbs line from Plumstead, arrived about two minutes before the train smashed through the wall.

"All I heard was a loud bang that I thought was a bomb and all I saw were sparks and smoke. I was getting off the train with a group of friends when the bang occurred. Seconds later people were running around, there was a lot of screaming and chaos.

"The security guards then cordoned the area off and people were led to the exits."

Geraldine Prinsloo of Bellville was also in the second carriage.

"The train shook badly before it stopped suddenly. There was an awful grinding sound, the coach shook around and people grabbed hold of each other.
"The lady on the bench opposite me and I just held each other until the commotion stopped.

"At first it was quiet, every one was numb with shock for a few moments and then pandemonium erupted."

Mark Petersen of Kraaifontein was in the third-class section.

"It was chaos, the train rattled and shuddered like an earthquake. I thought it was some sort of sick joke," said Petersen. "But then reality dawned. We all knew something happened to the train and we didn't know what to expect next.

"My first concern was for the driver. She is such a friendly lady; we always greet her and she smiles when we pass her as we were leaving the train.

"The first coach was in darkness. The lights must have gone off with the crash. Rescuers were still looking for her in the carriage when security people ordered us away," he said. - Staff Reporters

hallucienate wrote: "No, I can't talk to you now. We'll issue a press statement later," she said and hung up.

Johnny Boy wrote:

hallucienate wrote: "No, I can't talk to you now. We'll issue a press statement later," she said and hung up.

Good to see the PR spin machine swung effortlessly into action ...

hallucienate wrote:

Johnny Boy wrote:

hallucienate wrote: "No, I can't talk to you now. We'll issue a press statement later," she said and hung up.

Good to see the PR spin machine swung effortlessly into action ...

the train service is run by a state-owned company

Johnny Boy wrote:

hallucienate wrote:

Johnny Boy wrote: Good to see the PR spin machine swung effortlessly into action ...

the train service is run by a state-owned company

Ahhh ...so someone actually answering the phone was an achievement in itself ...