Man crushed by goods train

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A 25-YEAR-OLD man from Sawmills in Matabeleland North died when he was crushed by a goods train after jumping onto the railway line in a suspected case of suicide.

Trust Shoko of Majindane village, Sawmills area, allegedly rose from where he was sitting as a goods train was approaching and flung himself onto the railway line.

He was killed on the spot.

Witnesses suspect that the death was as a result of suicide.

National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) spokesperson Mr Nyasha Maravanyika confirmed the incident which happened on Wednesday at about 10PM.

He described the incident as sad and said NRZ security and officers from ZRP Insuza attended the scene.

“We received news of the incident involving a man who was hit by a train at Sawmills Railway Station. Witnesses alleged that the man jumped in front of the oncoming train. He was hit and died on the spot,” Mr Maravanyika said.

“The train was from Bulawayo and travelling along the Dete-Hwange route. At the moment, we cannot, however, declare if it was suicide or an accident but investigations are underway.” He said the NRZ was worried about the increase in suspected suicide incidents on railway lines.

“As NRZ we are very saddened by the incident. We appeal to members of the public to respect trains and not to play on the railway line because no one can win an argument with a train. People should not resort to committing suicide using trains. Trains are meant to serve the community not to end people’s lives.

“We are calling on members of the public to find better ways of solving their problems instead of taking their own lives. We are also appealing to members of the public to be careful at all times whenever near the railway lines. Those facing difficulties should seek counselling services. They should approach elderly people, the church and police’s public relations department for assistance,” Mr Maravanyika said.

In October, a 19-year-old woman from Magwegwe North suburb in Bulawayo died after she allegedly jumped onto the railway line with her two-year-old son as a train was approaching Luveve Railway Station. Both mother and son died on the spot.

@winnie_masara