One of the locomotive drivers of the Cameroon National Railway (CAMRAIL), whose only name Cameroon Tribune got as Tada, is currently receiving intensive medical care at the Douala General Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during an accident that occurred around the Eseka railway station.

The incident took place recently when Tada’s locomotive left Makak, some 30 kilometres from the Eseka railway station.

Sources from CAMRAIL indicate that Tada’s locomotive collided with a wheelbarrow placed on the railway around the entrance to the Eseka station. It is reported that the wheelbarrow contained rails that had been cut off by thieves around a bend along the railway.

Information also reveals that it is a common phenomenon for inhabitants in that locality to steal rails.

Because the thieves were cutting rails around a bend, the driver of the locomotive could not detect from a distance the obstacles that were placed along the railway. Emerging from a bend, along the railway, the driver suddenly stumbled on the wheelbarrow and could not take the necessary measures in time to slow down.

Although the thieves managed to run away, CAMRAIL sources note that Tada could not escape the wheelbarrow.

This resulted to a collision that left Tada with four broken ribs on both sides of his chest as well as internal bleeding with blood in his lungs. He was first rushed to the Eseka hospital and later transferred to Edea for further medical care.

Presently, he is at the Douala General Hospital for proper medical attention. An authority in CAMRAIL says the situation is under control and traffic along the rail was not disturbed.