Johannesburg – A three-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother were knocked down and killed by a goods train in Ndlovukazi locality in Queenstown, Eastern Cape police said on Sunday.
A spokesperson said the children had been on their own on Friday afternoon when they crossed the tracks.
It was believed the two may have been on their way to a bus stop to wait for their mother, who was due to come back from work.
A case of culpable homicide against the train driver has been opened.
Herewith find some of the pedestrian safety suggestions for pedestrians near level crossings:
- Pedestrians, cyclists and users of other wheeled mobility devices must obey railway crossing laws just as motorists. The only place you may cross is at an authorized and properly marked railway crossing preferably use the footbridge if it is in the vicinity.
- Most of the time when a child does get hit it’s because they weren’t paying enough attention.
- Children must be taught that trains can’t stop quickly. They need to adopt the steps of ‘Stop, look, listen and think’ when at a pedestrian level crossing.
- Children should always be supervised around public transport. Hold the hand of children up to five years old when crossing rail lines.
- Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
- Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive driver can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late.
- The tracks is the railway servitude in which the rails are.
- Railway tracks, overhead wires, yards, wagons and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.
- Railway tracks should not be used as a short cut or a walking trail.
- Trains overhang the rails by a metre in both directions and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the rails, you can be hit by the train. Keep a 5 metre safe distance from the rails.
- Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might come on the other line and your view may be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.
For more suggestions, visit the Arrive Alive road safety website: