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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Bureau
ONE person died while 62 others were seriously injured when a Yutong bus they were travelling in side-swiped with a Nissan Primera along Harare-Bulawayo Highway on Saturday. The accident occurred at the 248-kilometre peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway near Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre at around 10.30am.

National Traffic Police Spokesperson, Inspector Tigere Chigome confirmed the accident. Insp Chigome said the Kwekwe-bound bus had 70 people, while the Nissan Primera, which was going towards Gweru, had four people when the accident occurred.

“I can confirm that one person died while 62 others were seriously injured when a bus they were travelling in sideswiped with a Nissan Primera at the 248-km peg along Harare-Bulawayo Highway,” he said.

“Circumstances are that on approaching the 248-km peg, the two vehicles sideswiped at a curve, resulting in the driver of the bus losing control and it veered of the road before overturning and landing on its left side. One passenger from the bus died on the spot.”

Insp Chigome said the injured passengers were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital, while some were ferried to Kwekwe General Hospital. The body of the deceased was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary.

Insp Chigome urged motorists to abide by road rules and regulations, especially during the holiday. He said motorists should ensure that their vehicles were road worthy before embarking on long distance journeys and avoid reckless driving.

“We are appealing to motorists to observe the road speed limits, avoid overloading, avoid drinking and driving, as well as reckless driving,” he said. “Most motorists are taking advantage of the reduced roadblocks to violate road rules and regulations.

“Motorists should also ensure that their vehicles are road worthy before they embark on long distance journeys.”