H-Metro
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
JOHN CHITEMERERE of Chinhoyi says he is finding it difficult to believe he narrowly escaped death, after two ZUPCO buses collided head-on yesterday, claiming four lives.
Sixty-seven people were injured in the horror crash in which both drivers died on the spot in the accident which occurred on the 101km peg along the Harare-Chirundu highway.
The accident happened near a farming compound called Bhutsu.
Some of the survivors, who spoke to H-Metro, said one of the buses was travelling to Banket from Chinhoyi while the other was on its way to Hurungwe from Harare.
They said the driver of the Hurungwe-bound bus was speeding and in an attempt to avoid a tanker, a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck, he encroached onto the other lane leading to the head-on collision.
Chitemerere attributed the accident to human error.
Dr Mawire visits the injured
“The driver is to blame for the accident after he failed to apply the brakes, resulting in him encroaching onto the other lane, in a bid to avoid a collision with the tanker. He failed resulting in the head-on collision,” said Chitemerere.
Initial reports had suggested that seven people died but police later issued an update on the accident.
“Update on the fatal RTA (road traffic accident), which occurred today (yesterday) at around 0745 hours at the 101 km peg along Harare-Chirundu Road between Banket and Chinhoyi near Dondo River Bridge.
“The ZRP wishes to advise the public that after a full scene attendance by police officers on the ground and verification, the death toll is now confirmed to be four with 67 people being injured.”
A student from a secondary school in Banket also survived the horror crash.
She said it was a miracle she survived the accident.
“The driver was speeding, I am still in a state of shock,” she said.
The injured passengers were ferried to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Collet Mawire, told H-Metro they admitted close to 60 passengers.
Mawire said he mobilised staff from all the wards, including students, and others from Makonde District.
“The reaction was very swift. Unfortunately, two passengers died on admission here. I would like to thank Dr Tinotenda Madzima from PSMAS, who reacted swiftly to render help to the injured,” said Dr Mawire.
