railway, motorist

Photos of this incident were shared on social media and many had a lot to say about the driver’s ‘irresponsible’ behaviour. Photo: Sonette van Jaarsveld/ Facebook

Shocking! Driving on railway to take a shortcut lands motorist in trouble

The motorist decided to drive on the railway to take a shortcut to KwaZulu-Natal since traffic on the N3 was backed up due to an accident.

railway, motorist

Photos of this incident were shared on social media and many had a lot to say about the driver’s ‘irresponsible’ behaviour. Photo: Sonette van Jaarsveld/ Facebook

Social media users were not impressed with the driver who decided to take a shortcut and drove on the railway, just to have his car get stuck there and struck by a train on Sunday.

The incident took place on the Kransfontein railway in Bethlehem in the Free State. This after the driver of a Toyota Fortuner allegedly tried to avoid the N3 due to an accident.

TRAIN CRASHES INTO STUCK VEHICLE

Photos of this incident were shared on social media and many had a lot to say about the driver’s ‘irresponsible’ behaviour. 

According to Free State police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring the incident took place on Sunday around 17:00. 

“The driver wanted to take a shortcut to KwaZulu-Natal since there was an accident on the N3 highway and traffic was bad. He decided to drive on the railway,”

said Mophiring.

Mophiring said according to the driver or the train, he hooted when he noticed the vehicle. Subsequently, the train ended up crashing into the vehicle which had no occupants inside. 

The driver of the train called the police to report the matter. Mophiring said the occupants of the vehicle were nowhere to be found. No one was injured in the incident.

He did however say that they are not sure if anyone has come forward. Police have since registered an accident report. 

railway, motorist
Photos of this incident were shared on social media and many had a lot to say about the driver’s ‘irresponsible’ behaviour. Photo: Sonette van Jaarsveld/ Facebook

DRIVER ACTIONS CONDEMNED BY TRANSNET

Meanwhile, Transnet on Tuesday, to Netwerk24 condemned the irresponsible and dangerous behaviour of the driver.

Spokesperson, Mike Asefovits said the case was registered with the police and railway safety regulator.

The motorist is being charged with wrongful entry and third party damage.

It was still not known at the time of publication if the driver has come forward or not. 

N3 MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION CLAIMS 16 LIVES

Meanwhile, 16 people died in the horrific multiple vehicle collision on the N3 southbound. It happened in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday morning.

Some taxi occupants burnt to death in the collision between Peter Brown and Chatterton Road off-ramps in Pietermaritzburg.

ALSO READ: One ‘miracle survivor’ – aged seven – escapes N3 horror crash