FOUR people died on the spot while 36 others were injured when a Zambia-bound bus overturned after the driver failed to negotiate a curve at the 122km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road on Sunday morning. REPORT BY NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
The nationalities of the deceased could not be ascertained by the time of going to print.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Billy Dube confirmed the accident, which involved a Nsumi bus.
He, however, declined to disclose the deceased’s identities, saying their next of kin had not yet been informed “On November 25 at around 3.30am, at the 122km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Manase Phiri was driving a Zambia-bound bus (number plate ALG 8428) towing a trailer (number plate ACM 4384) from South Africa and on approaching the 122km peg, the driver failed to negotiate a curve because of speeding,” Dube said.
“The bus veered off the road and overturned once before landing on its left side, killing four passengers on the spot.
“The 32 injured passengers were referred to St Luke’s Hospital where they are admitted.
“Four passengers were referred to Mpilo Central Hospital.”
Dube said 10 people escaped from the accident unhurt.
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He appealed to road users to observe traffic regulations to avoid carnage especially as the country is approaching the festive season.
“Since we are going for the festive season, drivers are encouraged to travel within the regulated speed limits to avoid accidents.
“They are also encouraged not to overload passengers in their vehicles,” Dube said.
Sources, however, told NewsDay the accident was mainly caused by an overloaded trailer, which burst its tyre, forcing the bus to veer off the road.
“The trailer tyre burst when the bus was approaching a curve.
“Since the driver was speeding, he failed to bring the bus under control and it landed on its side,” a source said.
