THE driver of a white Avanza vehicle and commuters travelling by train are lucky to be alive after a collision at Philippi station yesterday.
The incident took place at 7.49am on the Central Line between Philippi and Nyanga.
According to Prasa, the driver of the No.9904 train saw a white Avanza vehicle approaching the level crossing as the train was pulling into the station.
But despite sounding the warning horn, the vehicle proceeded onto the spore which led to the accident.
Due to the collision, train services on the Central Line were disrupted as trains had to turn back at Nyanga station.
Luckily there were no injuries reported, and the Avanza driver and commuters were able to escape unharmed.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) released a statement that read: “PRASA Metrorail Western Cape encourages motorists to exercise caution when approaching level crossings, following an incident which took place [yesterday] morning at 07.49, involving a vehicle and Train 9904, travelling from Philippi to Nyanga.
“Reports from the Train Crew are that the train driver observed a vehicle approaching the level crossing and sounded the warning horn.
“Despite the warning horn from the driver, the vehicle was reported to have proceeded onto the crossing, which then led to the incident.
“Due to the occurrence, train services on the Central Line have been disrupted, with trains being turned back at Nyanga station. Our internal teams are on site to conduct an investigation into the incident.
“Trains by nature, appear to be moving slow at a distance, resulting in motorists miscalculating their speed.
“However, they are fast-moving and aren’t able to make sudden stops. Therefore we urge all road users and pedestrians to continue exercising extreme caution when approaching level crossings and to adhere to warning signals.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that police officers were deployed on the scene to assess the extent of the accident and preliminary reports suggest that there were no injuries reported.
Footage of the scene made the rounds on social media showing the front of the white Avanza vehicle smashed in as a result of the crash while commuters looked on.