News / Local
Kombi accident, 17 cheat death
13 Jun 2015 at 12:51hrs | Views
SEVENTEEN people escaped death on Thursday when two commuter omnibuses collided along Old Khami Road in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the accident, which happened around 3:45PM.
"We received a report about the accident. It's suspected that the driver from city centre turned without checking oncoming traffic. Seventeen people were injured from both commuter omnibuses, four of them seriously. Others escaped with minor injuries and were all taken to Mpilo Central Hospital," said Insp Moyo.
The two commuter omnibuses which collided on Thursday along Old Khami Road on Thursday injuring 17 people
According to witnesses, the commuter omnibus which was coming from the city centre turned in front of an oncoming commuter omnibus.
"I was heading to Pumula South driving a taxi. The commuter omnibus driver was behind me as we approached the robots. When the robot turned green he rushed into the intersection and tried to turn right. He collided with an oncoming kombi," said Akim Ndlovu.
He said the driver behind him was reckless as he turned without checking for oncoming traffic.
Sibonokuhle Sibanda, another witness, said she was lucky to be alive.
"I'm still in so much shock and can't clearly relate what exactly happened. All I remember is that some commuter omnibus tried to cut in front of the one I was in. In a split second, there was a huge crash," she said.
Sibanda said it was the second time she has survived an accident at the same spot.
"The four of us who were seated in the back seat managed to escape without a scratch. I thank God for this because I can't believe I've survived yet another accident at around the same spot."
"I wish commuter omnibus drivers could try to be a little more cautious when carrying passengers, especially along Khami Road," said Sibanda.
Another witness, a vendor at the robots, who preferred anonymity, said that place had become a black spot. He said he had witnessed many accidents at the robots.
"The robots are meant to control traffic but it's ironic because so many accidents happen there. The other problem is that so many of the public transporters drive under the influence of alcohol, risking people's lives," he said.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the accident, which happened around 3:45PM.
"We received a report about the accident. It's suspected that the driver from city centre turned without checking oncoming traffic. Seventeen people were injured from both commuter omnibuses, four of them seriously. Others escaped with minor injuries and were all taken to Mpilo Central Hospital," said Insp Moyo.
The two commuter omnibuses which collided on Thursday along Old Khami Road on Thursday injuring 17 people
According to witnesses, the commuter omnibus which was coming from the city centre turned in front of an oncoming commuter omnibus.
"I was heading to Pumula South driving a taxi. The commuter omnibus driver was behind me as we approached the robots. When the robot turned green he rushed into the intersection and tried to turn right. He collided with an oncoming kombi," said Akim Ndlovu.
He said the driver behind him was reckless as he turned without checking for oncoming traffic.
"I'm still in so much shock and can't clearly relate what exactly happened. All I remember is that some commuter omnibus tried to cut in front of the one I was in. In a split second, there was a huge crash," she said.
Sibanda said it was the second time she has survived an accident at the same spot.
"The four of us who were seated in the back seat managed to escape without a scratch. I thank God for this because I can't believe I've survived yet another accident at around the same spot."
"I wish commuter omnibus drivers could try to be a little more cautious when carrying passengers, especially along Khami Road," said Sibanda.
Another witness, a vendor at the robots, who preferred anonymity, said that place had become a black spot. He said he had witnessed many accidents at the robots.
"The robots are meant to control traffic but it's ironic because so many accidents happen there. The other problem is that so many of the public transporters drive under the influence of alcohol, risking people's lives," he said.
Source - chronicle
