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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
Three people were killed, while 16 others were seriously injured when a commuter omnibus overturned and rolled several times before it plunged into a small bridge and landed on its roof. Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the accident which occurred at around 2:15pm at the 255-km peg along the Bulawayo-Harare highway when the driver of the Nissan Caravan failed to negotiate a curve and swerved to the right lane and overturned.

The vehicle rolled several times throwing passengers out through the windscreen.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the Kwekwe-bound vehicle, which was carrying 19 people plunged into a small bridge and landed on its roof.

She said three people, including a one-year-old child, died on the spot while 16 others were seriously injured.

“I can confirm that three people died in an accident while several others were injured when the driver of the Nissan Caravan they were travelling in failed to negotiate a curve, swerved to the right lane and lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle overturned and rolled several times before plunging into a small bridge,” she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the 16 injured people were rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital while the bodies of the victims were taken to the GPH mortuary. She said the names of the victims would be released once their next of kin were advised.

“We are appealing to motorists and public transport operators to observe road speed limits and abide by road rules and regulations,” she said.

An eyewitness Mr Ranganai Sibanda alleged that the driver of the vehicle was exceeding the road speed limits when the accident occurred.

“I was standing a few metres from the bridge when the accident occurred. The driver of the commuter omnibus swerved to the right before the vehicle overturned and rolled several times.

“People, including the two who died were thrown out of the vehicle while it was rolling and one woman drowned in the stream. The driver lost his arm while the father of the child who died in the accident lost his leg while another woman lost her arm and leg,” he said.