In the latest intense taxi crash to add to South Africa’s ridiculous road safety statistics, 15 people were found dead on the scene about 50km north of Durban, in Shakas Head.

A Taxi driver apparently lost control, ramped off the highway and landed on railway tracks north of the Umhlali train station where the minibus was soon after hit by an oncoming train.

A minibus which was fully laden was knocked by a train. The cause is that the taxi driver lost control, hit the guard rail and landed on the railway line.

Over and above the 15 that tragically died, there were six people reportedly being treated for injuries on scene. Luckily, no one on the train had been confirmed injured at the time (in fact, there was no damage to the train at all) – which basically means that the taxi was overloaded as South African law permits only 15 passengers aboard a minibus taxi.

There was no damage (to the passenger train). For now the line is closed. It will have to be cleared.

It’s a kak feeling when the pride for your country that you thought would never break starts to crack.

[source: iol]