2010 Pretoria train accident

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2010 Pretoria train accident
Details
Date	21 April 2010
Location	Pretoria
Country	South Africa
Operator	Rovos Rail
Incident type	Runaway and derailment
Statistics
Trains	1
Passengers	59 + 3 crew
Deaths	3
Injured	7
Damage	R15,000,000

The Pretoria train accident occurred on 21 April 2010 when a train of carriages ran away for 12 miles (19 km) from Centurion Station and derailed at Pretoria. Three people were killed and seven were seriously injured.

History

On 21 April 2010, a luxury tourist train operated by Rovos Rail was at Centurion Station where the electric locomotive was being changed for a Class 25NC 4-8-4 steam locomotive. During the changeover, the carriages ran away out of control for 12 miles (19 km) until they derailed at Pretoria.^[1] The accident occurred outside the Blue Train depot.^[2] There were 59 passengers and thirty train staff on board the carriages.^[3] Three of the train crew were killed, and about R15,000,000 (£1,338,000) of damage was done to the carriages.^[1]

Investigation

The South African authorities opened an investigation into the accident. A board of enquiry was set up. Metrorail and the South African Railway Safety Regulator were represented on the board of enquiry.^[1] An initial assessment of the cause of the accident was that the uncoupled carriages had insufficient braking power to prevent the runaway.^[4] It is reported that the handbrakes on the carriages had not been applied. As the train was not on level track, scotches (wedges) were also required to be placed under the wheels of the carriages.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Jones, Robin (2010). "Three dead in steam trip crash". Heritage Railway (137, 13 May – 9 June). Mortons Media Group Ltd: 6.
^ "Rovos Rail train derails in South Africa: Two dead". BBC News Online. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
^ "Britons unhurt as vintage safari train derails in South Africa". The Independent. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
^ "South Africa probe into luxury Rovos Rail train crash". BBC News Online. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
^ Hosken, Graeme (and Sapa) (24 April 2010). "Rovos, Transnet get 'improvement directive'". IOL. Retrieved 16 May 2010.

Railway accidents and incidents in 2010

Jan 3 Bilecik train collision, Turkey
Jan 4 Carrbridge train derailment, United Kingdom
Feb 15 Halle train collision, Belgium
Mar 24 Sjursøya train accident, Norway
Mar 29 Moscow Metro bombings, Russia
Apr 12 Merano derailment, Italy
Apr 21 Pretoria train accident, South Africa
May 23 Jiangxi derailment, China
May 28 Jnaneswari train derailment, India
Jun 6 Falls of Cruachan derailment, United Kingdom
Jun 21 Yanga derailment, DR Congo
Jun 23 Castelldefels train accident, Spain
Jun 28 Ústí nad Labem derailment, Czechia
Jul 19 Sainthia train collision, India
Jul 23 Fiesch derailment, Switzerland
Aug 6 Circumvesuviana derailment, Italy
Aug 17 Little Cornard derailment, United Kingdom
Aug 25 Blackheath train accident, South Africa
Sep 20 Badarwas train collision, India
Sep 24 Bir El Bay train collision, Tunisia
Oct 1 Skotterud derailment, Norway
Oct 2 Petarukan train collision, Indonesia
Oct 12 Marhanets train accident, Ukraine

◄ 2009 2011 ►

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