Lima Charlie 1 attended to this incident
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MetrorailCape Town - A man, who may have been trying to avoid the packed carriages of a peak hour train, was electrocuted while on its roof on Wednesday.
Trains on Metrorail's Cape Town central line were affected when the 35-year-old man was electrocuted between Bonteheuwel and Netreg stations at 07:30. He caught alight during the incident.
Provincial emergency medical services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Daniels said the man had died instantly.
"He was burnt beyond recognition. EMS was at the scene within 15 minutes, however, we had a tough time getting him off the train as the power had to be disconnected before this could be done," Daniels said.
According to locals, peak hour trains on this line are often packed, resulting in people hanging from open train doors or standing on the couplings between the carriages.
Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said an inquest docket had been opened.
Metrorail spokesperson Zino Mihi said delays of up to 50 minutes were experienced on the affected line, as there had also been an incident of cable theft between Nyanga and Heideveld.
Commuters were encouraged to seek alternative transport while the line was cleared.
Mihi urged passengers to comply with the Legal Succession Act which warns against travelling between and on top of carriages.
M-News24, Tammy Petersen