Two workers die, 51 injured in tipper truck crash

Fairness Moyana in Hwange

TWO people died while 51 others were injured when a tipper truck that was carrying 69 workers of a construction company overturned near 5 Miles in Hwange District on Friday evening.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident to the Sunday News yesterday.
He said 16 people escaped without injuries.

“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident that occurred at the 330-kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road on Friday — (06/12/24) at around 1840 hours. Two people were killed while 51 others were injured when a Shackman Tipper truck carrying 69 passengers overturned and landed on its left side. 16 passengers escaped unhurt,” said Comm Nyathi.

The bodies of the victims were taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to the same hospital.

Witnesses who spoke to Sunday News, said the driver lost control of the tipper which was ferrying workers employed by a Chinese company constructing a 300MW thermal power station at 5 Miles as he overtook a vehicle.

“The tipper truck was ferrying workers home from work and at 5 Miles, it overturned as it tried to overtake a vehicle. We tried to assist those who were injured by rushing them to hospitals in Hwange,” said a motorist who asked not to be named.

Another motorist who had also stopped at the scene of the accident to attend to the injured described the scene as horrific.

“From what I saw, there were people who had been crushed under the tipper truck while some were wriggling in pain. This was a tragedy and I’m afraid from the nature of injuries many may succumb,” he said.