Three people died on the spot after a Chiadzwa-bound haulage truck carrying a bulldozer reportedly encroached into the lane of an oncoming commuter omnibus carrying 15 passengers on board, resulting in the fatal crash near Marange diamond mining fields on Saturday night.
Report by Obey Manayiti The accident that left 12 people seriously injured happened at the 86km peg along Masvingo-Mutare Road near Hot Springs.
Police have identified the deceased as Martha Musindo (74), Getrude Musindo (47) and Daisy Thabete (79), all of Harare.
It is understood that the accident happened at around 9pm as the haulage truck, which was coming from the opposite direction, had no escort car or a beacon light.
“On approaching the 86,5km peg near Hot Springs . . . the fork of the bulldozer was protruding into the other lane and it encroached beyond the centre white line of the road. When the vehicles were passing each other the commuter omnibus driver misjudged the width of the truck and he ramped into the fork of the bulldozer,” Manicaland police spokesperson Enoch Chishiri said.
Chishiri added that the commuter omnibus was dragged for about 50 metres before it overturned twice.
Three people died on spot while 12 others were seriously injured.
The injured passengers were ferried to Mutare General Hospital where they were still admitted.
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Meanwhile, police have urged motorists to be cautious on the roads to avoid accidents.
“The drivers should take precautionary measures on the roads to avoid unnecessary loss of life. In this instance, the haulage truck should have been escorted or at least have beacon lights,” Chishiri said.
