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George Maponga in MASVINGO
A 19-year-old Chiredzi pregnant woman and a nurse died while the driver was seriously injured after an ambulance they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Chiredzi-Roy Highway on Wednesday morning.
Memory Ndlovu of Muhlanguleni Primary School in Chikombedzi was being ferried from Chiredzi District Hospital to Masvingo General Hospital after developing complications with her pregnancy when the accident occurred.
Ndlovu died on the spot, while Julia Shereni (33), a nurse at Chiredzi General Hospital, who was accompanying her, died on admission at Musiso Mission Hospital in Zaka after sustaining severe injuries.
Acting Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa yesterday said the driver of the ambulance, Simon Jengwa was battling for life at Masvingo General Hospital after sustaining severe injuries.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Jengwa, who was driving the Land Cruiser ambulance failed to negotiate a curve at the 53km peg along the Chiredzi-Roy Highway and lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road to the left side and overturned once before landing on its wheels on the right side of the road,’’ he said.
“Ndlovu died on the spot after sustaining a deep cut on the forehead while Shereni succumbed to serious head injuries upon admission at Musiso Hospital.’’
Asst Insp Dhewa said the ambulance was extensively damaged and taken to the Vehicle Inspection Department depot in Masvingo.
He urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads, saying police were worried about the high number of fatal accidents along the province’s roads.
Last year, Masvingo Province recorded 1 974 road accidents that claimed 31 lives.
Online Reporter