Train derails after railline is stolen

THE freight train was making a delivery when, without warning, it suddenly derailed after a 200m railway track had been stolen, and all that was left was sand and rocks.

Daily Sun reported that a few nuts and bolts were the only remains of the railway. Transnet said they towed the train away before reporting the matter to the cops.

The train departed from Arlington and was heading for Heilbron in the Free State on Monday. Transnet spokesman Sandile Simelane told Daily Sun:

"Transnet Freight Rail does not transport passengers: it is a freight company.  The train was en route to Heilbron from Arlington, near Senekal on Monday.  It is not clear when the railway line was stolen, but it caused the train to derail.  The 200m long line was stolen at Hoogte, a public siding close to Heilbron.  The police were informed and the matter is still under the investigation. No one was injured."

Simelane said they could not disclose the value of the stolen steel at this stage, as the matter is still under investigation.

Arrive Alive had the photos of the derailed train splashed across their website.  Advocate Johan Jonck, the website's developer, said: "I could not believe what I was seeing.

"It is worrying to see the transport industry encountering such a crime."

Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Livhuwani Hani said no such case had been opened.

"I have personally spoken to the Heilbron Police Station commander. I was told that no such case had been opened," he said.