Tragedy struck early Monday morning (13 October) when a young man was struck and killed by a train in Somerset West.
Authorities including police, security officers and Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) officials responded to the scene along School Street, opposite a local high school.
According to police, the incident occurred shortly after the train departed Van der Stel Railway Station en route to Eerste River around 06:30. The driver signalled the alarm and immediately applied the brakes after seeing the naked man on the tracks.
“Despite the driver’s efforts, he could not stop the train in time,” a police spokesperson said.
Somerset West police have opened an inquest docket.
Zinobulali Mihi, spokesperson for Prasa Western Cape, confirmed the “unfortunate incident”, stating that train operations were immediately halted, and Protection Services, along with police and emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene.
She said all standard emergency-response and rail-safety protocols were activated to secure the area and ensure the safety of passengers and rail personnel.
“Train services on the affected line experienced delays while the scene was being cleared, but have since resumed normal operation.”
Mihi added that Prasa is cooperating with the police investigation. “Our Employee Wellness Unit has been activated to provide trauma counselling and support to the train crew and witnesses affected by the incident. Prasa extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.”
She also stated ongoing safety campaigns are conducted across the region’s level crossings, stations, schools, trains, shopping centres and communities, using a priority calendar to target high-risk areas.
While this publication initially protected the deceased’s identity, out of respect for the family, tributes have poured in on social media for Oscar de Lange, who has since been publicly identified.
Local rugby club St George’s RFC extended condolences to De Lange’s family, particularly his mother Janine, who serves as the club’s chairperson.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Oscar de Lange, beloved son of our chairlady, Janine de Lange,” the club stated.
“Our entire St George’s RFC family is devastated by this tragic loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Janine, Anthony, Anjay and the extended De Lange family. Oscar’s memory will forever remain in our hearts.”
The deceased’s family declined to comment at this stage.
The tragedy followed two other fatalities, both on Monday 6 October.
ALSO READ: Double early-morning tragedy rocks Helderberg
A 46-year-old Malawian national was found hanging from an electric tower near the N2 around 06:30, while a 27-year-old man was found fatally wounded in his vehicle at Somerset Mall before 09:00.
Police opened inquests into both incidents and the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
Since the apparent shooting tragedy, the deceased was publicly identified on Sunday (12 October) as the manager of the gun shop located at the centre.
A Facebook post by Gunlicence.co.za stated: “We are sharing the sad news of the passing of our manager and right-hand man, Nathan Penwarden. A legend has fallen and we will miss him dearly.”
The first incident unfolded around 06:30 when a 46-year-old Malawian national was found hanging from an electric tower near the N2 highway, requiring City of Cape Town‘s Fire and Rescue Services crewmen to cut through barbed wire to recover the body after the rope snapped.
Later that morning, before 09:00, officers responded to a shooting at Melcksloot Village Shopping Centre in the Somerset Mall precinct, where they found a 27-year-old man fatally wounded in his parked vehicle. The scene drew shocked onlookers as authorities cordoned off the area.
Police opened inquests into both incidents and the investigations are ongoing.
- This article was edited on Wednesday 15 October, following publication of the print version.
