HARARE – At least 15 people died in Beatrice, at the 55 km peg, along the Harare-Masvingo highway on Friday afternoon after a haulage truck rammed into a kombi overloaded with 44 passengers travelling to church.
A statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the tragic accident.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred this afternoon at around 1600 hours at the 53 kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road in which 15 people were killed after a Sprinter kombi travelling towards Masvingo was involved in a head on collision with a truck travelling towards Harare.
“Police are currently at the scene. More details to be released in due course,” the statement read.
According to a report by the Masvingo Mirror, the Harare-bound haulage truck – which overturned and landed on its back – was attempting to overtake a VW Polo but instead clipped the smaller vehicle on the right side.
“The haulage truck then collided head-on with the Sprinter which was overloaded with 44 passengers.”
Fourteen passengers died on the spot, one died at Beatrice Hospital and 29 passengers were injured while the truck driver was seriously injured.
Seke ambulance attended the scene and ferried the injured to Beatrice Hospital.
Zvakaoma hazvo
Uhmm what a great loss rip
Could it be a problem of a bad road or merely human error on driving? Let’s hope it is human error if this road is newly tarred
Sky Oscar Barbecuer human error
Sky Oscar Barbecuer pa Beatrice apo pakaita Accident Road yakanaka baba kana muchipaziva ndoska vachimhanya
A great loss. Prayers go out to those involved. Time to enforce stricter laws on roadworthiness of the vehicles and passenger numbers. Especially in taxis and kombis.
Haulage truck
Human error or reckless driving drink driving.