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“We have recorded a fatal accident in Hauna in Manicaland Province where 17 people died on the spot, one on the way to hospital and 46 others injured and are still admitted to Hauna District and Mutare General Hospital,” said Supt Matake.
He said the driver of the truck had picked passengers when the fatal accident occurred.
“The driver of the truck, a DAF 65 containerised, was picking passengers on his way to Hauna. When he approached the 18km peg along the Selborne-Hauna Road, he lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road resulting in the accident that killed the 18.
“Forty-six were injured and 29 of them are admitted to Hauna District Hospital while 17 are admitted to Mutare General Hospital. The bodies of the dead were taken to Hauna District Hospital mortuary.”
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to shun boarding private vehicles, which he said were not designed for public use and cause serious injuries in times of accidents.
“These figures are not conclusive, as we are still updating. We would want to encourage members of the public to desist from boarding private vehicles and to be patient and wait for public transport vehicles, which are designed in such a way that they reduce the impact of injuries.
“We also discourage speeding and overloading. Owners of private vehicles should not use their vehicles to pirate to avoid accidents on the roads. We also want to encourage members of the public whose relatives and friends are missing to approach the police to identify the bodies.”
Supt Matake said the 18 deaths in Hauna bring to 25 the number of people who have died in the province
since 15 December and the province now leads countrywide.
A total of 658 accidents has been recorded across the country compared to 652 during the same period last year.
About 551 injuries have been recorded to date compared to 378 last year while 9 168 tickets have been issued.
Harare leads in the number of accidents where 249 have been recorded causing five deaths compared to 269 last year where eight people died.
In Bulawayo three people have died so far from 101 accidents compared to three who died from 84 accidents during the same period last year.
Masvingo is second in terms of fatal accidents with 16 people having died from 47 accidents compared to six people and 41 accidents last year.
Matabeleland North and South both have recorded 13 deaths each from 16 and 45 accidents compared to one and six deaths from 17 and 30 accidents last year.
Online Reporter