Speeding vehicle knocks down pupils at zebra crossing

TWO Gampu Primary School pupils in Bulawayo were yesterday knocked down by a speeding vehicle at a zebra crossing along Luveve Road close to Mpopoma High School.

The pupils are currently admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital with serious injuries.

Mpilo Hospital public relations officer Margaret Tshuma confirmed that the two pupils were admitted at the institution, but would not shed more light.

"These two children are currently admitted in the Peace ward on the ground floor," Tshuma said.

According to an eyewitness, the driver of the vehicle was speeding and failed to apply brakes while approaching the zebra crossing resulting in him knocking them down.

"The children were seriously wounded and we hope God will save them. The driver was speeding and we don't know why he was rushing. We are sick and tired of these careless drivers failing to observe road rules," one eyewitness said.

Another eyewitness urged the city council to erect humps in the area because many people have been knocked down by vehicles in the past.

"The place has become a black spot. Since January, about three people have died at the same spot and we call on the local authorities to erect humps to reduce the unnecessary loss of lives," he said.

Most drivers do not stop at zebra crossing resulting in pedestrians being struck.

Late last year, another pupil was struck and killed by a speeding commuter bus at a zebra crossing near the Lobengula West turn-off along Luveve Road.

Residents have called on the police to enforce traffic laws to prevent such accidents.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not comment on the accident.