Police are searching for the driver of an Alfa Romeo which was ripped to shreds by a train near Meyerton in the early hours of Saturday morning, said ER24.

"According to the train driver he left the Kookrust Train Station moments before midnight. He noticed three men on the track trying to wave him down," said ER24 spokesman, Werner Vermaak.

According to Vermaak, the train engineer explained that he saw the yellow car parked on the track but could not stop in time.

Vermaak said paramedics called to the scene feared the worst when they went to inspect the car but were surprised that the vehicle was empty.

"There were no signs that anyone was in the vehicle at the time of the crash," he said.

Emergency officials from ER24, the SA Police Service dog unit and fire department started their search along the track to investigate if the occupants were flung out of the vehicle during the crash.

"The search lead to a dead end and officials returned their focus on the car. A handbag, purse and identification document was found in the vehicle of a 38-year-old woman, but no evidence that she was injured or that there was anyone else in the car at the time," he said.

Emergency officials fear the woman was either hijacked, kidnapped or that the car might have been stolen.

The police are still investigating the whereabouts of the woman or her family.

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