By Staff Reporter
POSTMASBURG – In a heartbreaking incident that has left the local community in shock, four members of a family, including a six-year-old child, lost their lives after a bakkie collided with a goods train near Postmasburg on Sunday afternoon.
The tragedy unfolded around 15:00 on August 4, 2024, at a railway crossing close to the Groenwater area. The family was using the tracks as a shortcut to a nearby village when their bakkie stalled on the tracks as the train approached.
According to police reports, the bakkie was carrying 12 passengers at the time of the incident. In a desperate attempt to save themselves and their loved ones, several adults jumped out of the vehicle to push it off the tracks.
Despite their efforts, they were unable to move the bakkie in time, and the incoming train struck the vehicle with devastating force.
Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), confirmed the incident and provided further details. “It is believed that the bakkie was crossing the railway tracks when it collided with an incoming train. Some of the adults tried to push the vehicle off the tracks, but sadly, four people inside the bakkie, including a young child, did not survive the impact,” said Colonel Ehlers.
The victims have been identified as two women, one man who was driving the bakkie, and a six-year-old boy. The names of the deceased have not yet been released as the police are still notifying their next of kin.
In addition to the four fatalities, three other occupants of the bakkie sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. The extent of their injuries has not been fully disclosed, but they are reportedly in stable condition.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with using unauthorized crossings and the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations near railway tracks. Local authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid taking risks that could endanger lives.
The Postmasburg community is now in mourning as they come to terms with the loss of four of their own. The SAPS in Postmasburg are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, and further details will be released as they become available.
Local leaders and community members have expressed their condolences to the grieving family and have called for increased awareness of railway safety to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
