adminWalter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
AN apparently drunk Mwenezi woman allegedly slept on the railway line and was crushed to death by a goods train on Monday.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the death of Fadzai Shereni, 43, of Makotore Village under Chief Neshuro.
She said the incident occurred at around 1:30AM after the woman, who was on her way home, slept on the railway line.
“I can confirm the incident in which Shereni from Mwenezi was crushed to death by a goods train after falling asleep on a railway line after having one too many. The incident occurred at Sarahuro Siding near Sarahuro Business Centre,” said Insp Mazula.
Shereni left home on Sunday and went to Sarahuro Business centre for a beer drink at Muzenda Bar. She was drinking with her nephew
Ngaakudzwe Shereni, 20, of the same village. Later in the night at around 9.30PM, the heavily drunk Shereni left for home but had difficulties in walking.
Police said whilst on her way home, Shereni decided to sleep on the railway line, oblivious of the impending danger.
At around 1.30AM a Rutenga-bound goods train coming from Bulawayo and driven by Lloyd Mapfumo, 34, approached.
Upon approaching Sarahuro Siding Mapfumo saw a person lying on the railway line, about 20 metres away. Mapfumo hooted and attempted to apply breaks but the machine failed to stop and crushed Shereni. She died on the spot.
The train then stopped a few metres from the body which had a severed lower part but the central part including the head was intact. A report was made to Sarahuro Police base and police took the body to Neshuro Hospital.
Meanwhile, Insp Mazula has urged members of the public to drink beer responsibly and not to expose themselves to danger.
derick.khumalo