Falls train crash victims demand answers

via Falls train crash victims demand answers 07 July 2014

FOREIGN tourists injured when a goods train crashed into a tram at the country’s prime Victoria Falls resort have demanded answers over the accident which resulted in one fatality.

There were 34 tourists and crew members on board the tram which is operated by The Victoria Falls Steam Train Company when the accident occurred last Tuesday evening. These included the wedding party of Australian businessman Peter Holmes a Court.

The wedding party was reportedly heading to Maun in Botswana for the ceremony. The couple was forced to postpone the nuptials after the accident.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) officials said 20 tourists were injured, two of them seriously. Two of the seriously wounded were airlifted to South Africa where one of them succumbed to the injuries.

Peter Holmes a Court said he was “very shaken and saddened” by the accident.

“Our tourist tram was hit by a freight train as it was approaching a sort of shunting yard,’ Paul Holmes a Court told The Australian.

A friend of the groom added: “We don’t really know much more than what’s been reported. We’re waiting to get more details and to find out how we can help.”

“We can never fully forgive those responsible and will go out of our way to warn our friends and loved ones to stay away from such corrupt places as Zimbabwe,” he was quoted as saying.

“There was no warning, no horn blast, and the tram operator cowardly jumped seconds before impact. Any small effort may have made a difference. Our hearts break from the tragic loss of such a great man.”

“We have never witnessed such an accident before in our prime resort town and we would like to assure the travelling public and our visitors that this was an isolated incident.

“Much as this was a gruelling experience, it is a lesson learnt and we will ensure that our systems are well prepared for such eventualities in future,” the organisation said.