Train severs man’s foot in collision

A drunken man, meandering on the train tracks at Gandhi’s Hill, near Tongaat, lost a foot but narrowly escaped with his life after he was hit by a goods train on Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses say the man, who is believed to be in his forties, was walking on the railway tracks, at just before 4pm, when the train engineer repeatedly sounded the horn.

Prem Balram, of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who attended the man, said: “The train was, however, unable to stop at the scene and was long gone by the time our reaction officers got there. The incident has raised questions about pedestrian safety around railway tracks. People seem to forget that these are still active lines and that they should be aware of the danger an approaching train brings. Far too many people do not adhere to safety protocols and neither do they maintain vigilance near active train routes,”

Mr Balram said the man suffered serious injuries. His left foot was severed by the train and he also sustained injuries to his back and head, he said.

Local authorities and law enforcement agencies are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the precise circumstances leading up to the accident.

Mr Balram said the injured man continues to receive medical care and support.