News / National
Festive session death toll rises to 48
25 Dec 2011 at 11:31hrs | Views
Nine more people were killed in road traffic accidents in different parts of the country yesterday, bringing the festive holiday death toll so far to 48.
A total of 98 people died over the entire festive period last year.
National police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri told ZBC News yesterday that the number of deaths recorded so far resulted from 652 accidents.
He said 378 people have been injured since December 15. In an accident that occurred at the 65km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Road, three people died on the spot while 30 others were injured.
It is understood a speeding haulage truck rammed into an overloaded bus that was ferrying passengers from Harare to Beitbridge.
National Traffic Police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said the truck driver lost control after being obstructed by an oncoming Toyota Vitz.
He then swerved and crashed into the Toyota and the bus.
"The driver of the haulage truck lost control of his vehicle after being obstructed by a Toyota Vitz and veered off his lane, hence the crash," he said.
"Three people died on the spot. The other vehicle involved was a Toyota T35."
The injured were rushed to hospital. Insp Chigome urged motorists to exercise due caution at all times. He attributed most of the accidents to drunk driving and overloading.
A total of 98 people died over the entire festive period last year.
National police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri told ZBC News yesterday that the number of deaths recorded so far resulted from 652 accidents.
He said 378 people have been injured since December 15. In an accident that occurred at the 65km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Road, three people died on the spot while 30 others were injured.
It is understood a speeding haulage truck rammed into an overloaded bus that was ferrying passengers from Harare to Beitbridge.
He then swerved and crashed into the Toyota and the bus.
"The driver of the haulage truck lost control of his vehicle after being obstructed by a Toyota Vitz and veered off his lane, hence the crash," he said.
"Three people died on the spot. The other vehicle involved was a Toyota T35."
The injured were rushed to hospital. Insp Chigome urged motorists to exercise due caution at all times. He attributed most of the accidents to drunk driving and overloading.
Source - Sunday Mail
