A 15-year-old boy survived being hit by a train in Bonteheuwel with just a head injury.
Kyle Coetzee and his 12-year-old friend were walking from Kalksteenfontein on Tuesday February 12 to fetch Kyle’s younger brother from his friend’s house in Bonteheuewel after 2pm.
The pair did not hear or see the train as they crossed the tracks between Netreg and Lavistown stations. Kyle was badly hurt and the 12-year-old unharmed, according to family member Nadeema Samsoedien.
She said Kyle had been taken to Somerset Hospital where he had been treated for a head and knee injury. He was discharged the following day.
According to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) spokeswoman Riana Scott, when the driver sounded the train’s siren the boys tried to jump out of the way.
“One boy was struck by a train. His friend alerted his family who then took him to hospital by car for treatment. Members of the Philippi Rapid Rail response unit attended the scene.”
She said for the past two years there had been 110 rail injuries and 186 rail fatalities across the province.
Asked who was responsible for the medical costs of the accident, she said: “We are obliged to refer all claims to PRASA’s insurers who will consider the circumstances of the incident on a case-by-case basis.”
Ms Scott said rail fencing was mended and replaced on an ongoing basis as funds allowed.
“The primary purpose of railway fencing is to demarcate boundaries and most fencing (even palisade) will not deter wilful entry.
“In many instances, the fencing is still serviceable for its intended purpose. This is why we continue to advise the public and commuters
to use authorised crossings (bridges/subways) to safely cross railway
lines. We also emphasise safe commuting practice tips during station and school safety campaigns,” she said.