Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
TWO people were killed while six others were injured when a Rimbi Tours bus sideswiped a haulage truck in a horrific accident along the Harare-Chirundu Road last Friday morning.
The fatal accident occurred near the 197km peg and involved a bus carrying 32 passengers and a haulage truck transporting 30 tonnes of calcium carbonate.
Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, told H-Metro, both vehicles were travelling eastwards towards Chirundu, with the haulage truck in front.
Kohwera said the truck driver had moved towards the left side of the road after spotting an abnormal load approaching from the opposite direction.
“He pulled off to the left so as to allow safe passage of the abnormal vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction,” he said.
However, the bus driver, who was following behind at high speed, attempted to overtake the truck after noticing that it was moving slowly towards the left.
“He saw an abnormal vehicle at close range and tried to return to his lane but had a sideswipe with the trailer of the haulage truck,” said Kohwera.
The impact left the bus extensively damaged on its front left side, while the haulage truck sustained damage to the right side of its trailer and rear right tail light.
Fifteen bags of calcium carbonate being transported by the truck were also damaged.
Tragically, two bus passengers died on the spot.
“The bodies were taken to Karoi District Hospital for postmortem,” said Kohwera.
Six other passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to Karoi District Hospital for treatment.
Police have since launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Kohwera urged motorists to exercise caution and remain alert on the roads to prevent further loss of life and property.
“Mashonaland West Police would like to continue urging drivers to exercise proper lookout and be cautious when driving to avoid accidents leading to loss of life and property,” he said
