adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWO men from Masvingo cheated death when a car they were travelling in was swept by floods at Chimusana Bridge on New Year’s Eve.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Peter Zhanero confirmed the incident.“I confirm that there is a motorist and a passenger who had the car that they were travelling in, swept away by water at the flooded Chimusana Bridge. Fortunately the pair was rescued and is believed to be in good health,” he said.
Eye witnesses said the men were rescued by members of Zimbabwe National Army and police’s Sub-Aqua Unit who were alerted by members of the public who had heard the men screaming for help.
Timeon Mambo said he was heading to town to celebrate New Year with his friends but stopped near the bridge after realising that it was flooded.
“I was going to town with my friends but failed to pass the bridge because it was overflowing. When we stopped our car, deciding to make a U-turn, we heard screaming voices of two men,” he said.
Mambo said when they disembarked and moved closer they saw a vehicle being swept but with two men inside.
Mambo said the pair was then rescued by members of the police and army following a police report at Chikato Police Station.
When Chronicle visited the bridge early on New Year’s Day, the car was still floating in water but was later retrieved by the fire brigade team from Masvingo City Council.
The identity of the motorist and his friend could not be ascertained at the time of going to press late yesterday.
“We however, did not get an official report apart from the fact that the people involved were rescued and the car retrieved. Neither have we gathered the identities of the rescued men,” Chief Insp Zhanero said.
“We always encourage people to be wary of flooded rivers. Motorists should be very careful not to cross flooded rivers so as to avoid disaster.”
Online Reporter