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Faith Duri in Masvingo
Three people, including a girl, drowned near Chiredzi on Monday after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while crossing low-level bridge on Runde River.
The Toyota Hillux with a driver and 10 passengers was travelling from Chiredzi town to Chilonga business centre when it was swept away.
According to Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, local fishermen reacted promptly using a home-made canoe and managed to rescue driver Tiyani Lisenga of Chilonga and seven of the passengers. But a woman, a man and the girl drowned.
The fishermen moved the other eight to the shore from where they were taken to Hippo Valley Medical Centre for treatment.
Police with the help of villagers in Chilonga retrieved the bodies of the three.
Five of the eight survivors were still detained at Hippo Valley Medical Centre yesterday, where they are receiving treatment and are in a stable condition. Three others were treated and discharged.
The Toyota was submerged in the river for two days before it was finally retrieved as floods receded.
Inspector Dhewa repeated warnings that motorists should avoid trying to crossing flooded bridges and fords as they risked being swept away by raging flood waters.
Runde River is crocodile-infested ,making it more dangerous for people who try to cross from either side using the low level bridge which is in use. An all-weather bridge linking Chiredzi town and Chilonga is still being planned.
Online Reporter