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Sharon Chikowore Mashonaland West Bureau
Seven people died in separate accidents that occurred in Mashonaland West Province last week, with police urging drivers to exercise caution.

The latest accident claimed three lives, with two of them being tobacco farmers travelling to the auction floors in Harare recently.

The three died when the lorry they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.

The three were travelling in a Toyota lorry carrying tobacco bales.

In an interview, Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the accident and released the names of the deceased who were identified by other relatives following in another vehicle.

“The deceased are Doesmatter Kasakaipa, the driver, Shephered Nzara (36) of Munyikwa Village, Chief Munyikwa in Hurungwe and Elison Humerani from Tengwe, Hurungwe,” he said.

Insp Mabgweazara said the driver allegedly failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the haulage truck which was coming from the opposite direction.

“The three were trapped in the lorry and members of the fire brigade had to cut through the wreckage to free them,” he said.

“Information gathered also indicated that on noticing that the lorry was encroaching into his lane, the haulage truck driver slowed down and stopped.

“The smaller truck with tobacco bales rammed into the stationary haulage truck leading to the death of the people on           board.”

In another incident, four people died on the spot in Kadoma when a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst a tyre.

The vehicle veered off the road before overturning twice and landing on its roof about 15 metres from the road.

The omnibus had 18 passengers and four died on the spot, while 12 were injured.

Names of the deceased, according to Insp Mabgweazara are Constancia Charamba (53) of Kadoma, Nescar Diza (47) of Rimuka, Kadoma, Peter Nasho (37) also from Rimuka in Kadoma and Viginia Shonhai from the same city.

Insp Mabgweazara urged drivers to exercise caution and observe road rules and regulations when travelling while avoiding speeding.