Train hits car, one dead
A man died when a train hit his car in Brakpan on Friday, Ekurhuleni emergency services said.
"The vehicle caught fire and the driver died," said spokesman William Mohale-Ntladi.
"The train operator managed to stop the train and reverse it because it [the car] was starting to catch fire."
The train crew managed to extinguish the fire.
The Metrorail passenger train was travelling between Johannesburg and Springs after 8.40am when the accident occurred.
"Just after it left the Brakpan train station the vehicle drove literally onto the railway line," he said.
"The vehicle hit the train and caught on fire and the driver of [the] vehicle burnt to death."
The identity of the deceased had not yet been established.
The passengers and crew of the train were not injured.
Police were on the scene and were investigating.
The accident had not occurred at a level crossing but on an open piece of land, said Mohale-Ntladi.
The train was full at the time and alternative transport was arranged for the passengers.
- Sapa