SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH DISCLAIMER
If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about harming yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting themselves, it is essential that you seek immediate help.
In South Africa:
- Call the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) 24-hour helpline on 0800 567 567
- SMS 31393 (free service) for a call-back from a trained counsellor
- Phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 21 22 23
- In an emergency, call 10111 (police) or 112 (from a cellphone)
Cape Town, South Africa – A man believed to be in his 40s died on Saturday morning after deliberately throwing himself in front of a moving passenger train at Wynberg railway station in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:30 am, was witnessed by several bystanders and was captured on video that has since circulated widely on social media platforms.
Western Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed that Wynberg police had opened an inquest docket following the railway incident. According to the official police statement, the yet-to-be-identified male intentionally jumped in front of an approaching train as it entered or passed through Wynberg station. The impact caused severe, life-threatening injuries.
Emergency medical personnel from provincial health services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Paramedics stabilised the man on site before transporting him by ambulance to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Despite these efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries while en route to the medical facility and was declared deceased before arrival.
Eyewitness footage that has been shared online shows the man standing close to the edge of the platform moments before the train arrived. He was dressed in black jeans, a white jersey, and white takkies. As the train approached, he suddenly moved forward and threw himself onto the tracks directly into the path of the oncoming locomotive. The video captures the moment of impact, followed by screams and shouts of shock from commuters and other individuals present at the station at the time.
Railway authorities from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Metrorail, which operates commuter services in the Western Cape, confirmed that the incident caused significant disruption to train schedules on the Southern Line. Several services were delayed or cancelled while emergency teams, police, and forensic investigators attended the scene. The line was temporarily closed between Wynberg and Kenilworth stations to allow for the recovery of the body and the completion of initial investigations.
Police forensic officers and members of the Railway Police Unit conducted a thorough examination of the scene. No suicide note was reported to have been found at the location, and at the time of the incident the man was not carrying any form of identification. Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the deceased. Anyone with information about a missing male in his 40s matching the description – wearing black jeans, a white jersey, and white takkies – has been urged to contact Wynberg SAPS or the Crime Stop hotline.
The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing concerns about mental health and the accessibility of crisis intervention services in South Africa. Railway suicide attempts and fatalities remain a persistent challenge for Metrorail and PRASA, with multiple similar incidents recorded across the national rail network in recent years. Safety measures such as platform edge barriers and increased surveillance have been implemented at some high-risk stations, but Wynberg station is not currently equipped with full-length platform screen doors.
As the inquest continues, the priority for investigators is to formally identify the deceased and to establish any underlying factors that may have contributed to the tragedy. The man’s next-of-kin will be notified once positive identification has been made through fingerprints, DNA, or recognition by family members.
The Western Cape Department of Health and emergency services have reiterated the importance of seeking help for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, reminding the public that the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) operates a 24-hour helpline, and that immediate assistance is available through emergency numbers 10111 or 112.
This incident marks another tragic loss of life on the Western Cape rail network and serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued awareness and support for mental health challenges within communities across the region.
