Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
POLICE has confirmed that seven people died while eight others were seriously injured after a commuter omnibus, a haulage truck and a UD truck collided at the Dzivarasekwa Turn-Off along Bulawayo Road early Wednesday morning.
The Dzivarasekwa turn-off area has become a high accident zone.
According to eyewitnesses, the commuter omnibus was hit from behind after the driver encroached into the lane of the haulage truck while reversing to pick up a passenger.
After losing control of his vehicle, the driver crashed onto a stationary Nissan UD truck.
“The accident occurred just before 5 am. A woman wanted to board the kombi so the driver reversed to pick up the passenger and there was a haulage truck coming from behind leading to the fatal crash,” an eyewitness said.
“I am one of the first responders to the scene. When we arrived we tried to assist those who were critical, unfortunately we found some who were already deceased. We had to do CPR then managed to help a few and mobilised ambulances to come and ferry the injured to the hospital. The police came through to make sure the scene was properly managed,” a community member said.
“This area has become a black spot, too many fatalities. We plead with responsible authorities for urgent assistance” a resident said.
“The traffic lights are not even working and this exacerbates the situation,” another community member added.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“It is really sad, we have seven people who died so far while eight others were seriously injured and were taken to a local hospital for medical attention after a commuter omnibus which was being recklessly driven at the traffic light controlled junction was involved in collusion with a haulage truck and a Nissan UD truck.
“It disturbs to note that the kombi driver tried to pick up a passenger at the traffic lights, he tried to reverse while the haulage truck was coming. The Zimbabwe Republic police has always implored kombi operators and their drivers and conductors to be exemplary, it is high time kombi operators take responsibility for the behaviour and conduct of their employees because we can not continue to have people dying daily because of recklessness by kombi drivers, they have to change their behaviour, there are laws to be observed in the country,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Most road traffic accidents are due to human error, hence growing calls for the implementation of measures and safety systems that minimise road carnage.
