Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE driver of the commuter omnibus that was hit by a train in Mahatshula suburb injuring three schoolchildren tried to overtake two vehicles before colliding with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)-owned locomotive on Wednesday morning.
The injured schoolchildren were ferried to a local hospital and are in stable condition. NRZ spokesperson Mr Andrew Kunambura said the driver failed to observe level crossing regulations, resulting in the accident.
“A team from NRZ was dispatched to the scene of the accident and preliminary findings show that the driver of the commuter omnibus failed to observe level crossing regulations,” he said.
“Two vehicles had stopped at the level crossing and the commuter omnibus driver decided to overtake the stationary cars and his vehicle was hit by a train.
“Three school kids were injured. They were taken to a local hospital and are in stable condition.”
He urged drivers to observe level crossing regulations to avoid collisions with trains.
“A driver must stop at a level crossing, look in both directions to make sure there is no train approaching, and only proceed when they are absolutely sure that the rail tracks are free of traffic,” said Mr Kunambura.
The kombi was carrying school kids from several educational institutions on their way to class in the morning.
A kombi driver who plies the city/Mahatshula route, Mr Enock Ncube, said trains frequently use the rail tracks that pass through the suburb and urged fellow drivers to exercise caution when crossing the area.
“Unlike other railway crossings where trains rarely pass through, the Mahatshula level crossing is a bit busy. At least two trains, especially goods trains, pass through that area in a week but their timetables are not predictable so it’s important for vehicle drivers to always be on the lookout,” he said.
“The children could have been badly injured or worse had the train hit and dragged the kombi along the rail tracks,” said Mr Ncube.
The commuter omnibus is affiliated with Bulawayo United Passenger Transport Association (BUPTA) whose chairman, Mr Morgan Msipa, who was yet to get the full details of the accident, said the association expects its drivers to observe regulations that govern level crossings.
“Our members are encouraged to hire drivers who are competent in defensive driving and the association would have expected a driver who uses that route on a daily basis to observe the rules when passing through a level crossing,” said Mr Msipa.
Last month, a police officer was injured after an official vehicle he was driving was hit by a train at a level crossing in Marondera. The unnamed officer was chasing a fleeing Kombi and failed to observe level crossing rules, which instruct all drivers to stop and only proceed after establishing there is no train approaching.
