Man sits on tracks, waits for train to run him over

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A MAN died after he was crushed to a pulp by a train in a suspected case of suicide in the wee hours of Wednesday in Nyamandlovu, police confirmed.

The unidentified man is said to have sat on the railway line and stared at the train as it approached.

He covered his face with a jacket just before the impact.

The incident occurred at around 1AM at Morgan Halt area.

A source close to investigations said, the engine driver, Mr Onias Tigwire (44) noticed the man when it was too late to stop the train.

National railways of Zimbabwe general manager Engineer Lewis Mukwada also confirmed the incident.

“We received a report of a suicide incident where a man sat on the railway line and was hit by a train. The train was coming from Victoria Falls heading for Bulawayo,” he said.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said: “I can confirm that we received a report of a case of sudden death which occurred on Wednesday morning. An unidentified man sat on the railway line and as the train neared, he didn’t attempt to move and was crushed,” she said.

Insp Makonese said the deceased had no identity particulars on him.

“We are appealing to members of the public who might have information that may assist to identify the deceased to contact their nearest police station,” she said.—@winnie_masara.