NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1594
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: Friday, 23 September 2011
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 17 JUNE 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 17 - 2011)
Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) (a) How many train crashes have taken place (i) in (aa) 2008, (bb) 2009 and (cc) 2010 and (ii) during the period 1 January 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) in each case, (i) where have they taken place, (ii) on what date and time has each specified crash taken place, (iii) what were the circumstances and (iv) how many people were injured and died as a result of the crash;
(2) whether any investigation has been undertaken into each of the specified crashes; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome of each specified investigation;
(3) whether any person has been charged dismissed or prosecuted with regard to any specified train crash; if not, why not; if so, what was the specified designation in each case;
(4) what steps has his department taken to reduce the number of crashes?NW1796E
3. THE REPLY
The following reply to Question No 1594, asked by Mr S B Farrow, DA MP, has been furnished by the RSR, and is hereby submitted for the Minister's consideration and approval, please.
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(1)(a) (i) There were a total of 21 train crashes from 2008 to 2010. These
occurred on the main lines:
(aa) In 2008 there was one collision.
(bb) In 2009 there were twelve collisions.
(cc) In 2010 there were seven train collisions.
(ii) From 01 January 2011 to 24 June 2011, there were five collisions.
(b) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
TRAIN COLLISIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN 2008
Mqwabe - Mswaneni
On 29 July 2008, at approximately 11:32 between Mqwabe and Mswaneni Stations in KwaZulu-Natal, a Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) light locomotive, train No 0691 (train consisting of locos only) collided rear-end with another TFR train No 8813. There were no injuries.
TRAIN COLLISIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN 2009
Paarlhoop
On 03 June 2009, at approximately 15:35, there was a head-on collision between TFR goods train Nos 8973 and 1480 near Paarlhoop Station in Gauteng. It resulted in no injuries or fatalities.
Hazendal
On 03 September 2009, at approximately 10:56 near Hazendal Station in the Western Cape, Metro train No 0533 passed two signals at danger without authority and collided head on with metro train 9544. It resulted in no injuries or fatalities.
Lenz - Midway
On 02 February 2009, at approximately 17:16, Metro train No 9091 collided with Metro train No 9013 at the rear between Lenz and Midway Stations. As a result, 160 passengers had minor injuries. No fatalities were reported.
New Era - Pollack Park
On 03 February 2009, between New Era and Pollack Park Stations, Metro train No 0057 was standing in front of signal BGS657, waiting to be authorised when Metro train No 0059 collided with it at the rear. As a result, 142 injuries were reported. No fatalities were reported.
Bon Accord
On 19 January 2009, at approximately 03:50 near Bon Accord Station in Gauteng, light locomotives of a TFR train No 87090 collided rear end with train No 8951. Some train personnel in the light locomotives sustained injuries.
Belfast - Sunbury
On 07 February 2009, at approximately 15:25 between Belfast and Sunbury Stations in Mpumalanga, TFR train No 8008, which was staged at the loop-line, ran away and collided side-on with train No 8408, resulting in six wagons and four locomotives derailed. No injuries were reported.
Northam
On 11 February 2009, at approximately 15:25 near Northam Station in Limpopo, the last truck of train No 4103 collided side-on with leading locomotive of train No 8778. No injuries were reported.
Schuttersdraai
On 24 February 2009, at approximately 06:35 near Schuttersdraai Station in the Free State, train No 5505 collided head-on with stationary train No 5506. This resulted in the derailment of seven wagons and damage to two locomotives. The train driver was also injured.
Kroonstad - Westleigh
On 27 February 2009, at approximately 15:00 between Kroonstad and Westleigh Stations in the Free State, the train driver parted the load to detach a faulty locomotive, and when he returned to clear the load, he collided with his own load. No injuries were reported.
Paarlshoop
On 03 June 2009, at approximately 15:35 near Paarlshoop Station in Gauteng, a TFR container train and goods train collided head on. No injuries were reported.
Redlands
On 14 June 2009, at approximately 00:50 near Redlands Station in the Northern Cape, a light locomotive collided with a stationary train whilst assisting to clear train No 2173 from its section. It resulted in no injuries or fatalities.
Frederiekstad
On 12 December 2009, at approximately 13:50 near Frederiekstad Station in the North West, two trains belonging to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) collided head on. One passenger died as a result of the accident and 107 passengers injured, including the two train drivers and two assistants.
TRAIN COLLISIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN 2010
Kaalfontein - Birchleigh
On 05 June 2010, at approximately 20:32, Metro train No 1842 collided with the rear end of goods train No 2122 between Birchleigh and Kaalfontein Stations. A motor coach and four trucks of the goods train had derailed. Three commuters were injured.
Koelenhof
On 05 July 2010, at approximately 20:25, Metro train No 3409 collided sideways with another metro train No 3410 that was within the clearance mark near Koelenhof Station in the Western Cape. This resulted in minor damage to rolling stock. No injuries were reported.
Angus - Mpilisweni
On 09 September 2010, at approximately 11:30, Metro train No 0722 collided with stationary freight train No 7301 between Angus and Mpilisweni Stations. Three plain trailers of the Metro train had derailed and four bogies of the freight train. Approximately 20 commuters were injured.
Letaba - Orangedene
On 27 July 2010, at approximately 11:34, a TFR Goods train collided with a road-rail-vehicle (RRV) between Letaba and Orangedene Stations in Limpopo. Four TFR employees were fatally injured and another two injured
Delmas
On 29 August 2010, at approximately 23:40, TFR light locomotive (locomotives with no wagons/coaches) and a goods train collided side-on near Delmas Station in Mpumalanga. No injuries were reported. Two locomotives and five wagons derailed
Petrusburg
On 28 September 2010, at approximately 16:34 near Petrusburg Station in the Free State, a TFR light locomotive and goods train collided head-on. No injuries were reported.
Mason's Mill - Napier
On 17 November 2010, at approximately 08:30 between Mason's Mill and Napier Stations, TFR wagons ran away from the yard and collided with the rear end of TFR train No 1604 on the running line. This resulted in minor damage to rolling stock. No injuries were reported.
TRAIN COLLISIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN 2011
New Era
On 02 January 2011, at approximately 20:15 between Schaapenrust and New Era, Metro train No T0907, travelling to Springs, collided with TFR train No T4663, resulting in damage to rolling stock and injury to the two Metro train crew.
Alliance
On 14 January 2011, at approximately 17:30, Metro train No T8882 travelling from Daveyton to Danswart, collided with another Metro train No T8884 at Alliance station, resulting in damage to rolling stock and injury to 78 passengers and four Metro train crew,.
Akasiaboom
On 08 April 2011, at approximately 17:40, Metro train No T9540, travelling from Mabopane to Pretoria, collided with the rear of another Metro train No T9652 just after Akasiaboom Station, resulting in damage to rolling stock and injury to 266 passengers and death to the driver of train No T9540.
Paardeneiland
On 12 April 2011, TFR locomotive 5502 allegedly passed signal BJ1962 at "danger" without the necessary authority and had a rear end collision with an empty Metro Train No 0836. The two Metro crew and the train assistant of the TFR locomotive sustained injuries.
Mzimhlophe
On 19 May 2011, at approximately 17:52, Metro train No T9482 en-route from Johannesburg to Naledi collided with the rear of another Metro train No T9482 that stopped in the section between Mzimhlophe and Phomolong Stations in Soweto. More than 800 passengers were injured. There was also serious damage to rolling stock.
(2) Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) investigations into some of the incidents in (1) (b)
While the ideal situation would have been to have the RSR conduct an independent investigation into all the above occurrences, this has not been possible due to capacity constraints. However, the Operator has to investigate each occurrence in accordance with the requirements of the National Railway Safety Regulator Act, 2002 (Act No 16 of 2002), as amended. Should the operator's process be found wanting, the RSR will recommend a review of the investigation or initiate its own investigation. In all instances, a follow up process is carried out to ensure implementation of corrective actions.
Train collisions that have taken place in 2009
Lenz - Midway
The RSR conducted an investigation and issued recommendations to PRASA. The implementation of a temporary upgrade to the signalling system in the Lenz - Midway area is one of the interventions resulting from the recommendations. PRASA is also in the process of a longer-term implementation of the signalling system upgrade programme, which is also in fulfilment of the RSR's recommendations.
New Era - Pollack Park
The RSR conducted an investigation into the incident and also a site inspection on the day of the occurrence. Recommendations from the RSR investigation were issued to PRASA.
Fredriekstad
The RSR conducted an investigation into the incident and a site inspection on the day of the occurrence. Recommendations from the RSR investigation were issued to PRASA.
Train collisions that have taken place in 2010
Kaalfontein - Birchleigh
The RSR conducted an investigation into the incident. The recommendations were then issued to PRASA. This investigation resulted in a change in the train operating rules around T-Signals (telephone automatic signals).
Angus - Mpilisweni
The RSR conducted an on site inspection on the day of the occurrence and issued a directive to PRASA, instructing that the faulty signal and track circuit be repaired. The RSR is also reviewing the TFR/Metrorail investigation report.
Letaba - Orangedene
The RSR conducted a preliminary investigation at the incident site on the day of the occurrence and issued a directive to TFR, instructing that all official communication between the train driver and TCO (Train Control Officer) be conducted in one language that is understood by all train personnel. TFR has since complied with the directive.
Train collisions that have taken place in 2011
New Era
The RSR is reviewing the operator's investigation report and will monitor the implementation of corrective actions through inspections and audits.
Alliance
The RSR is reviewing the operator's investigation report and will monitor the implementation of corrective actions through inspections and audits.
Akasiaboom
The RSR is conducting an investigation into the collision - the investigation is still in progress.
Mzimhlophe
The RSR is conducting an investigation into the collision. The RSR investigation is still in progress.
Paardeneiland
The RSR will review the TFR/Metrorail investigation report once it has been finalised.
(3) The objective of the RSR's investigations is to determine the facts of an occurrence, the immediate and underlying causes and to make recommendations to prevent or reduce the risk of recurrence. The focus is to prevent recurrence and to achieve safety improvement. Operators (such as PRASA and TFR) follow internal disciplinary processes that may include dismissal of the personnel involved.
(4) Subsequent to the Kaalfontein and Angus - Mpiliseni incidents in 2010, it became clear that a pattern of similar occurrences had developed. The RSR realized that the majority of the collisions involved T-signals and/or driving on sight (where a driver could proceed with caution) after a three minute wait, without the need to consult the train controller. This created an over-reliance on driver discretion. There was also a high incidence of driver non-adherence to the applicable rules. The RSR engaged the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) in September 2010, about the need to review the rules around T-signals in order to reduce this risk. Following a risk assessment process, the operators implemented the more restrictive changes to the rules with effect from 13 June 2011.
The RSR has recently launched the Human Factors Standard that sets requirements to ensure safe behavior of safety related staff. Each of the operators has been instructed to submit implementation plans for standards. These plans and their implementation will later be audited for compliance by the RSR.
The RSR is also conducting a review of the PRASA Signaling Project that is aimed at improving the reliability of the current signalling system.
The RSR conducts regular audits of PRASA and TFR, in which safety shortcomings are identified.
Issued by Parliament, September 27 2011
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