Anger over fatal train tragedy

DEATH: COMMUNITY REELING AFTER GIRL, 15, RUN OVER IN KEMPTON PARK ACCIDENT

- Hein Kaiser

The death of a 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly run over by a train on the Pretoria-Joburg commuter line, has left the community reeling and raised concerns about safety measures.

The death in Kempton Park prompted DA ward councillor Simon Lapping to pen an urgent open letter to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy.

In the correspondence, he demanded immediate action to secure railway lines under rehabilitation in the suburb.

Lapping described the incident as "a tragic day for the community," noting the deep impact on the victim's family, residents, emergency workers, and potentially Prasa [Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa] staff.

He said: "The most tragic thing about the death of this young girl is that it could have been prevented, or at the very least, her choice would have been made more difficult had Transnet and Prasa worked within their duty to care."