Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has sent a condolence message to the families of the 17 people who died when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck on Tuesday morning.
Four other people were injured in the fatal road accident.
“It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I have received news of the fatal road traffic crash that occurred on Tuesday morning at Hunyani Bridge along Seke Road, Chitungwiza,” Minister Mhona said.
“Certainly, this is the worst nightmare, to lose several of our beloved ones – young men, women, and children – in such a horrific crash. It is undoubtedly the worst nightmare for the families and the whole nation.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of the crash, the bereaved families, the injured and the survivors who witnessed the gruesome, traumatic, and dark moment of the crash.
“During this sombre period, we call upon the whole nation to commiserate with the affected families. We wish a speedy recovery for the injured.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and on my own behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to all the bereaved families.”
Police said the 17 people died after a haulage truck travelling towards the Harare Central Business District with two occupants on board lost control and veered onto the oncoming lane.
The truck hit two pedestrians who were walking on the island of the road.
These victims died on the spot.
The truck went on to collide head-on with a Nissan Caravan that was travelling in the opposite direction with 17 passengers on board.
Following the collision, the truck dragged the commuter omnibus off the road and overturned. It then landed on top of the kombi and trapped it.
Fifteen people who were in the kombi, including the driver, died on the spot; while four others, (three from the kombi and one from the truck), were injured.
The victims comprise 10 females and seven males.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Chitungwiza Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, while the injured were taken to the same institution for treatment.
