R5.4m Payout for Train Attack Survivor Who Lost His Arm

R5.4m Payout for Train Attack Survivor Who Lost His Arm

A man who lost his arm in a violent train attack at Koeberg station has finally received justice. Nearly eight years after the incident, the High Court has ordered the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to compensate him with R5.4 million for medical costs and loss of income.

Thrown from a Moving Train

The attack happened on August 26, 2017, when assailants pushed the then-employed truck driver out of an open train door. He suffered catastrophic injuries, including an above-elbow amputation and spinal damage.

Once employed as a Code 14 driver, he has been unable to return to formal work. Today, he helps his wife sell fruit and vegetables from a small stall at their home. Experts told the court his chances of securing future employment are “almost non-existent.”

A Lifelong Struggle

Since the amputation, he has worn a cosmetic prosthesis only occasionally, citing discomfort due to its weight. His greatest concern, he told the court, is feeling vulnerable in public spaces:

“I don’t want to look like an easy target.”

Judge Melanie Holderness ruled that he is a suitable candidate for both cosmetic and myo-electronic prosthetics, but the plaintiff opted for lighter cosmetic ones with silicone finishes.

A Fight Beyond the Courtroom

Beyond the medical debates, the case highlights broader concerns around safety on South Africa’s trains. Passengers remain exposed to criminality, with doors often left open and security lacking.

For this survivor, the judgment is more than a financial lifeline it is recognition of his suffering and a reminder of the human cost of unsafe public transport.

{Source: IOL}

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