Four people escape death by whisker

There was drama along Matobo in Gweru when four people who attempted to cross the flooded Gweru river were rescued by other motorists.

The four escaped death by a whisker when the pick-up truck there were travelling in was swept into the flooded Gweru river.

The driver is said to have failed to negotiate the narrow bridge along Matobo road and his vehicle was overpowered by the current and was swept into the furious Gweru river.

While submerged in water the driver managed to get out of the truck and managed to clutch on a nearby willow tree about 500m from the truck.

While 28-year-old Itayi, his wife and two-year-old daughter who were behind the pick-up truck held each other as they screamed for help.

Speaking to ZBC News soon after being rescued from the raging waters, Itayi and his wife said all they could do was pray and thanked the Almighty for saving them.

The two motorists Tichaona Jerera and Tichaona Hakunandava who were waiting for the river to subside leaped into the water and saved the four from drowning in the flooded river.

When ZBC News arrived at the scene the fire brigade were trying to retrieve the Mazda pick-up truck from the river but without any success.

The four were later taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for monitoring observation.

The department of Civil Protection has been warning people not to cross flooded rivers and bridges as a number of people have been marooned and some have been swept away.