ROVOS RAIL ACCIDENT 21 APRIL 2010
PRESS RELEASE - Updated 25 April 2010

At 10h30 on Wednesday 21 April, a Rovos Rail train en-route from Cape Town to Pretoria stopped at Centurion Station to change locomotives. The electric locomotives then uncoupled whilst our steam loco stood by to move on to the main line. The signalling system was temperamental and delayed this process by approximately 45 minutes. While the steam loco was waiting for a signal change, the train started moving alongside it. At the time our train manager and a group of guests were waiting on the platform at the front to observe the locomotive change. On noticing the movement, the manager and loco staff applied handbrakes to three carriages, which was not enough to stop the momentum on the significant decline out of Centurion Station towards Pretoria. The train then proceeded for 10 km down to Pretoria Station where it derailed due to excessive speed across the points leading into the station. The occurrence is being investigated.

On a very sad note three of our staff members died in the accident, while three were hospitalised. At this time one passenger is in hospital in a serious but stable condition, with a further five guests being treated for fractures.

There were 19 carriages on the train of which 15 are damaged beyond repair. Clean-up activities are in progress and all vehicles are expected to be removed from the track by midnight tonight.

The operation of the business will continue as usual with the Victoria Falls service having departed on Thursday and Cape Town trip on Friday afternoon. The loss of the rolling stock is being assessed but all trains will be departing as planned.

We thank you for your kind support.