adminPatrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
TRAM services for tourists have been suspended in Victoria Falls to allow a full scale investigation following the recent collision of the tram with a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) goods train, which killed one tourist, injuring others.NRZ and Victoria Falls Steam Train Company, (VFST) the owners of the tram confirmed the development yesterday.
NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati said by yesterday no report had been released from the investigation since a team of experts was still on the ground.
“Investigations are underway so the results are not yet out,” said Masikati.
Asked to comment on allegations that there were some tourists contemplating on suing NRZ for the accident, Masikati said: “That’s news to me. No one has communicated to us regarding that.”
VFST general manager Edmore Kasira said the accident report was not yet out adding that they were working on resuming the service soon.
The crash happened two weeks ago when a goods train ploughed into the tram that was carrying 32 tourists and five crew members at the Victoria Falls main station. Of the 20 injured, 18 were treated at a local hospital and two men were flown to a hospital in Johannesburg where one of them died. As a result of the collision, wedding planned for Australian millionaire Peter Holmes and his fiancee, American photographer Alissa Everett was moved to Botswana.
The businessman has posted a message to “our friends” on his Facebook page about the wedding and included a photograph of his bride’s bruised and stitched hand. He also paid tribute to American Will Poovey, who died in the crash, saying his new wife loved the 44-year-old “like a brother”.
The open-sided tram was used to transport tourists to the town’s star attractions such as the Victoria Falls Bridge and Rainforest.
Online Reporter