Zimbabwean engineer dies in tragic car crash in the UK
By Tichaona Sibanda
The Zimbabwean community in Hatfield, Hertfordshire has been plunged into mourning following the death of a respected 45 year-old electrical engineer in a car crash along the A1 motorway near Borehamwood in the United Kingdom.
Aguy Mtikani, an Electrical manager with Bouygues UK, a leading construction, development and regeneration company died on Tuesday night when he lost control of his Toyota Rav4 vehicle and crashed into a tree killing him on the spot.
Mtikani, who had climbed the corporate ladder to become a manager in the electrical department with Bouygues graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Zimbabwe.
He once worked as an aviation instruments engineer for the national carrier Air Zimbabwe, before first relocating to South Africa and eventually settling in the United Kingdom. In the UK he attained a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering.
Family spokesman Jeff Sango told Nehanda Radio that Mtikani, who was married with two children, was driving home from work when tragedy struck.
He worked in central London but drove his vehicle from his home in Hatfield to Borehamwood where he switched to a train to commute from there to the British capital during week days. Sango said this had been his uncle’s modus operandi for years.
‘After work, he would get a train from London to Borehamwood and then drive his car to Hatfield, a journey that takes close to 20 minutes. He has done this for years and to us as his family we are really shocked about his death in a car accident,’ Sango said.
The police told the family that paramedics who attended the scene just after 10pm on Tuesday declared him dead 30 minutes after they initially started treating him whilst still trapped in the vehicle. Fire Brigade officers had to cut him free from the mangled wreck. They believe he succumbed to serious head injuries he suffered on impact.
Sango said the family is devastated that he is gone, describing Mtikani as an amazing husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. His body is expected to be flown to Zimbabwe later this month.
Meanwhile mourners are gathered at 28 Peregrine way in Hatfield, AL10 9UP.
