On Friday, July 12, a major recovery operation was carried out in Kaapmuiden, just outside Mbombela, after a coal truck toppled onto a railway line, colliding with two locomotives.
 
The incident called for swift and expert intervention, with Van Wettens Breakdown Services leading the demanding operation. According to Monica Fourie of Van Wettens, the task took eight hours to complete, running from midday until 20:00.
 
“We used two Western Star Wreckers and our brand-new Volvo FH Wrecker. Phase one of the operation was to remove the coal tipper, and phase two involved lifting the two locomotives back onto the rails. Each locomotive weighed over 120 tonnes,” Fourie explained.
 
Thanks to the teamwork, heavy-duty machinery, and precision involved, both locomotives were successfully restored to the tracks, ensuring minimal disruption to rail operations.