shloboe boe
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE promise of a picturesque Rovos Rail adventure to the iconic Victoria Falls was shattered yesterday morning when the luxury train, carrying tourists from South Africa, collided with a Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway (BBR) goods train just outside Gwanda, leaving several crew members injured.
The incident occurred around 7AM in the Hantinya area. Upon impact, one of the Rovos coaches was ripped off the tracks and landed on its side about five metres from the railway line, trapping a crew member inside. Gwanda Fire Brigade personnel swiftly responded and successfully rescued the injured man after a two-hour rescue operation.
Another coach veered off the tracks into the bush, while a third coach collided into the one ahead of it. A total of 18 crew members from both trains sustained injuries and were transported to Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
Two of them, reported to be in critical condition, were later transferred to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo for specialist care.
According to authorities, none of the 47 international tourists aboard the Rovos train were injured. The train, which departed from Pretoria on Thursday, was scheduled to arrive in Victoria Falls on Sunday. It was carrying 31 crew members along with the tourists, while the BBR goods train had six crew members on board and was en route to Beitbridge from Bulawayo.
When the Saturday Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, medical teams were attending to the injured, while firefighters and local residents worked together to retrieve those trapped in the wreckage. Community members also assisted in carrying the injured up a steep slope to waiting ambulances.
Rovos Train Manager Louis Jonga confirmed that while passengers were unharmed, several crew members sustained injuries.
“We had 47 guests on the train who are all foreign internationals and 31 crew members. All the guests escaped unharmed but we have crew members that were injured. Six had visible injuries, some serious, but we sent more to the hospital to be examined to ensure that they are not in danger.”
Jonga said they arranged for the passengers to be ferried by bus to a hotel in Bulawayo together with their luggage while awaiting further logistical arrangements.
Gwanda District Civil Protection Committee chairperson and District Development Co-ordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu, commended the swift response from all stakeholders.
“This is an unfortunate incident, but we’re grateful for the quick and coordinated reaction. The Gwanda fire brigade arrived within minutes and immediately began rescue efforts, including retrieving the trapped crew member.
Security personnel, including police officers, have been deployed to secure the scene and protect train property,” she said.
Gwanda Provincial Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Shadreck Gororo, said they had received 18 patients from the accident.
“Three have been transferred to Mater Dei Hospital, with two in critical condition. One is suspected to have sustained a spinal injury, while the trapped crew member has injuries to the legs and lower back,” he said.
Dr Gororo said the remaining 15 are in stable condition and will be discharged once logistical arrangements are in place, as they are foreign nationals.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations were underway.
“I can confirm that we recorded an incident where two trains collided in Gwanda. There were no fatalities but some injuries were recorded. More information will be released as we are still conducting investigations,” he said.–@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter