WUPPERTAL, Germany Four people were killed and more than 40 injured when a suspension train became detached from the monorail supporting it Monday and plunged into a river in Wuppertal, Germany. Two cars of the train - packed with early morning commuters - dropped eight metres into the shallow river below as the rush-hour was getting going. The rest was left hanging from the support rail.

Firemen confirmed two dead, both men, as they finally managed to sift through the wreckage, strewn at an awkward, narrow point of the river with buildings rising each side. A third victim was found later downstream, and a fourth later succumbed to injuries. Rescue services set up an area nearby where first aid was given to the injured before the more seriously hurt were transported to hospitals in the area.

The town's mayor, Hans Kremendahl, said later that initial reports indicated a clamp left on the monorail after weekend refurbishing work has caused the train to jump its overhead mounting. (DPA)