Chronicle EditorSikhumbuzo Moyo
POLICE yesterday said the cause of the Falcon College bus accident that tragically claimed the life of an Upper Six learner, Aiden O’Donovan on Sunday afternoon was due to failure by the driver to control the vehicle.
The accident happened at the 34km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road at around 1pm as the 56 learners were returning from a weekend rugby tournament in Harare where they played against St Georges College on Saturday.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena, said the 39-year-old bus driver, Bhekani Donga lost control of the vehicle and it veered off to the left side of the road, hit a mountain boulder and overturned before it landed on its right side.
“The Falcon College bus with 56 passengers on board was travelling along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road. Upon reaching the 34km peg, the driver lost control of the bus, veered off to the left side of the road and hit a mountain boulder,” she said.
“It overturned and landed on its right side. One passenger was pronounced dead on the scene.”
Insp Mangena said investigations are still ongoing.
According to Statutory Instrument 119 of 2023 under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, which was gazetted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, a bus driver must have held a vehicle licence for at least five years and a truck licence for at least another five years before applying to take to the bus driver tests.
Several learners were taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment and The Chronicle is reliably informed that all the learners save for one were discharged as of yesterday.
The learner who is still admitted sustained a broken arm.
One of the affected parents, Mr Busisa Moyo, confirmed that his son was on the bus and was now recuperating at home after some X-ray tests at the hospital.
“Yes, my son was on the bus he had to do x-rays last night at a local hospital. We are monitoring the situation at home,” he said.
Posting on his X-page, Mr Moyo said: “Lord I can’t understand why! I will trust you to give strength to this young man’s twin sister and parents and his team members, it could have been any of our boys…gutted!”
Falcon College headmaster, Mr David Kirkman released an official statement and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
“There are no words that can comfort those who have lost a son, a brother, a grandson, a friend, a teammate, a student, or a dorm mate. As we struggle to process this tragic event, we take time to thank those who so selflessly acted in support of those involved in the accident and the accident itself,” he said.
“We want to thank everyone who has contacted us throughout the world for the messages of support and love. Your thoughts are noted and we lean on every call or message that we receive.”
Mr Kirkman appealed to members of the public to desist from posting what he termed “any sceptical information” about the accident, but wait for official communication from the school.
“It is a very sensitive situation where many of the community close to the incident were involved and are hurting,” he said.
Online Reporter