An unknown man, who was allegedly sleeping on the train tracks, met a gruesome death at Ha-Makhitha Village on Saturday afternoon, when he was hit by a speeding train.

According to the police, the victim was about 44-years-old and was not known by residents of the nearby villagers.

It is alleged that the train driver saw the deceased sleeping on the tracks, but his efforts to apply the brakes and to hoot to wake up the victim were all fruitless. According to the police, the speeding train came to a halt about 100 metres from the scene. On arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the victim had sustained injuries to his head, while his legs were broken.

A bottle of sorghum beer (tshigubu tsha mahafhe) and a walking stick were found next to the victim.

The police statement indicates that the deceased was wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, a grey long-sleeved t-shirt, black trousers, black socks and brown shoes. “He is of medium weight, with long hair, a beard and dark in completion,” reads the police statement.