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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
SEVEN people were killed, while five others were seriously injured when a Honda Fit collided head-on with a Mazda pick-up truck along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway yesterday morning.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident which occurred at around 4:30am at the 235km peg along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway.

The Gweru-bound Honda Fit had two people on board, while the Mazda B 2200 had 11.

Chief Sup Nyathi said six people died on the spot while the other one died on admission at Kwekwe District Hospital where five other passengers were taken for treatment.

Chief Sup Nyathi said on approaching the 235km-peg near Kwekwe River, the driver of the Honda Fit is said to have failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the right lane, resulting in the collision.

He said the Honda Fit veered off the road, overturned and rolled several times while the Madza B2200 truck also veered off the road as a result of the collision.

Chief Sup Nyathi said both drivers died on the spot.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) would like to confirm an accident which occurred at the 235km-peg along Gweru-Kwekwe highway this morning at around 4.30am. Seven people died, six on the spot while the other upon admission at Kwekwe District Hospital.

“Five people were seriously injured and two, whose condition was very critical, were referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals,” he said.

Chief Sup Nyathi said bodies of the deceased were taken to Kwekwe District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

He said the names of the victims would be released once their next of kin have been informed.

“Police are appealing to motorists to abide by road rules and regulations and to negotiate road curves with caution to avoid accidents,” he said.

An eyewitness alleged that on approaching the 235km-peg the driver of the Honda Fit failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the right lane ahead of an oncoming Madza B2200 truck and the two vehicles collided.