Ten people were killed, while 12 others were seriously injured in a road traffic accident along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway yesterday morning.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
The accident occurred at the 300km peg near the Vungu bridge at 7:30am.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident, saying it happened when a Toyota Hiace kombi, which was Gweru-bound, encroached into the lane of an oncoming Mitsubishi Colt, resulting in a head-on collision.
The driver of the kombi, that was carrying 18 passengers, was reported to have lost control of his vehicle after a left tyre burst and rammed into the oncoming vehicle which had four passengers.
Nyathi said eight people perished on the spot while two others died on admission at Gweru General Hospital. One passenger in the Mitsubishi Colt survived.
He said of the injured, seven were in critical condition while five were in stable condition at Gweru General Hospital.
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Nyathi appealed to motorists to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on a journey.
“You will remember that just a month ago, we had a similar accident in Kwekwe. We appeal to drivers to ensure that they have tyres with proper traction and should avoid using retreads. They should also avoid speeding,” he said.
In another accident, scores of people escaped death by a whisker when a Harare bound bus they were travelling in reportedly ran over a herd of cattle crossing the road between Chegutu and Halfway along the same road.
Passengers said the driver failed to stop the bus after its brakes failed.
Nyathi said he was yet to get a report on the accident last night.
