Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
EIGHT people died on the spot yesterday when a Zupco bus collided head-on with a fuel tanker near Kadoma along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
31 other people were critically injured and were rushed to Kadoma General Hospital where they are admitted.
National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the accident occurred at around 1am.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirm that eight people died in a road traffic accident which occurred on the 168-kilometre peg along Harare-Bulawayo highway between 12midnight and 1am when a Zupco bus had a head-on collision with a fuel tanker. 31 other people were critically injured and are admitted at Kadoma General Hospital,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police were investigating and more details will be availed in due course.
The Zupco bus was heading to Harare coming from Plumtree.
When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, some bodies were still being retrieved from the wreckage while ambulances were ferrying the injured to hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the fuel tanker who was crushed to death, could have dozed off and encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic.
Of those who died, seven were on the bus including the driver, a relief driver, the conductor and some passengers occupying the front seats.
Some passengers could be seen writhing in pain while others escaped unhurt.
Mr Luckson Mutendi said the bus left Plumtree at around 8pm on Tuesday.
“It was a smooth journey all the way from Plumtree until the tragedy. We had no problems with the driver as he was driving well. In fact, the driver who was involved in the accident had just relieved the other driver in Kwekwe and was not speeding at all. It was very unfortunate that this haulage truck driver could have dozed off and it was on a curve and he encroached into our lane. It was a bang followed by screams; very traumatising to experience,” he said.
Mr Mutendi who was seated at the back said he jumped out of the bus after the crash and witnessed some passengers breathing their last with no much help.
“I saw people dying. It’s an experience which will haunt me forever,” he said.
A man from a nearby village, only identified as Patrick said:
“I was awakened by a loud bang at around 1am and together with other villagers, we rushed to the scene. We started assisting some people who were trapped while others were dying as we could not offer much help. The first ambulance arrived after about two hours but many lives had already been lost.”
Online Reporter