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South African truck crash kills 25

Driver of farm truck carrying fruit-pickers that was hit by coal train faces 25 murder charges

The Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG — South African police say the driver of a farm truck carrying fruit-pickers that was hit by a coal train has been charged with the murder of 25 workers who died in the accident.

Police spokesman Col. Leonard Hlathi said Saturday investigations suggested negligence by the 32-year-old driver as the train approached a level crossing in the eastern Mpumulanga province Friday.

At least 25 others were injured as the truck was dragged 200 meters (600 feet) along the tracks.

Officials earlier put the death toll of Friday’ accident at 26.

In 2010 in South Africa, a man driving a school bus hit by a train was sentenced to 20 years in jail for the murder of ten children and attempted murder of four survivors.