Runaway luxury train derails in S.Africa, 2 dead

[bemildred]

Source: AP

PRETORIA, South Africa — A luxury train filled with foreign tourists, many of them Americans, sped downhill out of control before derailing in South Africa Wednesday, killing a pregnant woman and another crew member and trapping passengers in the mangled coaches.

Rail officials advised passengers and crew to jump from the train as it sped into Pretoria, South Africa's capital, after their attempts to apply brakes did not work.

"I screamed at the others to tell them to jump off," said Rovos Rail Managing Director Rohan Vos. "I jumped off while it was moving."

The train was carrying nearly 60 passengers, and about 20 of them were injured, including 10 Americans, the U.S. Embassy and reports from emergency officials said.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVFVphfKpd9xBpfI3U_wHCXbZw-QD9F7KBT82

[Divine Discontent]

1. sounds absolutely terrifying... poor pregnant lady...

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. one thing I learned from my travels in Africa...

The worst African airline is probably 1000% safer than any other available form of transportation, starting with railroads most of which don't appear to have seen any significant maintenance since colonial times.

[ingac70]

3. No way I'd pay $1500 to $3000...

to ride on a ratty ass train track in SA.