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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
SEVENTEEN people were injured, seven of them seriously when a Johannesburg-bound Hi-Tech Trans Motors bus they were travelling on on Thursday evening veered off the road and landed on its right side near Beitbridge Town.The injured were rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital while seven passengers were referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for further treatment. The driver tried to dodge stray cattle at 7PM along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway, police sources say.
The bus was travelling from Harare to Johannesburg in South Africa with 39 passengers on board.
“We suspect that the driver was speeding and when they reached the 33km peg before Beitbridge Border Post, he spotted a herd of cattle on the road and tried avoiding the animals but swerved to the right side. In the process he lost control and the bus veered off the road and landed on its right side injuring 17 people on board,” said the officer.
He said the matter was reported to police who then transported the injured to Beitbridge District Hospital.
Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director Dr William Busumani said 10 people were treated for minor injuries at Beitbridge Hospital and discharged while seven others were taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals.
“Five people are in critical condition at UBH while two others are in a stable condition. We treated 10 others for minor injuries and discharged them yesterday at Beitbridge Hospital,” he said.
Hi-Tech Trans Motors Operations manager Innocent Kujeke said they had since organised alternative transport for those who would wished to proceed with their journey or return to Harare.
“We are calling on the government to act on the issue of fencing our highways as we continue to lose our properties and lives due to accidents caused by stray animals,” he said.
Online Reporter