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Manicaland Correspondent
A 19-year-old Chipinge man died recently after he was crushed by a vehicle he had just finished loading with timber.

The driver reversed the truck while Terrence Mutsveta of Mutsega Village was resting behind it.

Mutare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death.

“We received a report on the death of Mutsveta, who was crushed by a truck while resting behind it,” he said. “On June 21 at around 11pm along an unknown dust road at Zibonda Farm near Mabheka Business Centre in Chipinge, Mutsveta was loading three tonnes of gum poles onto the truck after which he took a nap behind it.

“The vehicle, a white Nissan UD7 truck (registration number ABQ 2927) is owned by Benjamin Ziyadhuma (54) of Chipinge and was being driven by John Muchawaya (44) of house number 5286, Gaza in Chipinge, as well.

“While Mutsveta was sleeping behind the truck, Muchawaya started the engine before reversing the vehicle. In the process, he ran over Mutsveta and crushed him with the right rear wheel and he died on the spot.”

Police attended the scene and the body was ferried to Chipinge Hospital for a post-mortem

Insp Kakohwa implored drivers to be cautious when driving.

“Drivers should always check behind their vehicles before reversing,” he said.