Six killed, nine injured in accident

PLUMTREE – Six people who were travelling in a Toyota Granvia vehicle died on Sunday, while nine others were injured after the driver lost control of the car which veered off the road and overturned several times.

Police confirmed the accident which occurred at around 1am about 53 kilometres outside Bulawayo, near the Usher Institute turnoff along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road. The driver of the vehicle which was travelling towards Bulawayo from Francistown, Botswana died on the spot.

Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Province, Sergeant Nkosilathi Sibanda said one of the passengers died on the way to Mpilo Hospital while the injured had been admitted to the hospital. They suffered fractured ribs and limbs and sustained head and internal injuries.

Sgt Sibanda said seven of the injured passengers were in a critical state. He said the driver of the Toyota Granvia who is suspected to have been speeding failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle. Sgt Sibanda said the car which had 14 passengers was towing a trailer loaded with luggage.

“Preliminary investigations show that the driver could have been speeding. Circumstances are that the driver of the car which had 14 passengers failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to veer off the road. The car overturned several times before it landed on its roof.

“Four of the passengers and the driver died on the spot, while another died on the way to Mpilo Hospital. The other nine passengers were injured and they have all been admitted at the hospital,” said Sgt Sibanda.

He said the names of the deceased were being withheld until their next of kin had been advised. Sgt Sibanda urged motorists to adhere to speed regulations and exercise extra caution while driving at night.

“I appeal to motorists to adhere to speed limits because they were set for a purpose. Motorists should be extra careful when travelling at night, as there is a high risk of accidents during that time,” he said. The Chronicle