News / National
Five family members die in a pile up road traffic accident in Kwekwe
07 Mar 2012 at 11:02hrs | Views
FIVE members of the same family died while four others were seriously injured in a pile up road traffic accident involving four vehicles that occurred on Sunday evening near Sable Chemical Industries, just outside Kwekwe, police said.
The accident happened at the 193.5km peg along the Kwekwe-Harare highway at about 7.30 pm.
Police identified the dead as the driver, Tendai Nyamapfeni (42), Fungai Mutovo (an adult woman aged 40), Linda Nyamapfeni (a woman aged 20), a three-month baby boy, Shawn Nyamapfeni and Justice Nyamapfeni (24).
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana said the five are from HQ Five Brigade and are related.
He said all the five and the four injured were travelling in a Mazda B2200 when the accident occurred.
"The truck was being driven by Tendai Nyamapfeni. On approaching the 193,5km peg, Tendai lost control of the vehicle, thereby encroaching onto the lane of an oncoming Scania
bus driven by one Aaron Pirikayi. The Mazda B2200 collided head-on with the Scania bus," said Insp Chademana.
"On contact, the Mazda's canopy flew off into the air and hit another vehicle, which was travelling behind the Mazda B2200, a Toyota Ipsum, which was driven by one Douglas Guwamhiwa. The Ipsum went off the road and the Mazda B2200 hit another car, a Toyota Camry, which was travelling behind the bus. As a result of this chain of accident pile up, five people died on the spot while four sustained serious injuries."
The Midlands police spokesperson said all the four injured were taken to Kwekwe District Hospital where they were still admitted.
He said the four vehicles were taken to Kwekwe's Vehicle Inspection Department.
"The injured who are admitted at Kwekwe District Hospital are Thanks Nyamapfeni (14), Sincere Nyamapfeni (25), William Nyoni (51) and Sibuso Nyoni all from HQ Five Brigade.
Police investigations into the matter are still going on," said Insp Chademana.
In a similar incident that also occurred on Sunday at the 22km peg along Gweru-Shurugwi road at around 4.20 pm, an unlicensed driver hit an uneven surface and lost control of his vehicle resulting in the car rolling. The driver died on the spot.
Insp Chademana identified the man as Solomon Muzondo (32) of Dollar Plot, which is along the Shurugwi-Gweru road.
"Solomon Muzondo was driving a Honda, white in colour. The car belonged to a Mr Sparks Shoko who was one of the passengers in the car. Muzondo hit an uneven surface at the 22km peg and lost control. The car rolled once, killing the driver on the spot. There were five passengers in the car and they were all injured. The injured are admitted at Shurugwi
District Hospital and their condition is said to be stable," he said.
Insp Chademana urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling along the country's highways.
"Most of the accidents are a result of human error. We are needlessly losing lives, including young lives, when people behave carelessly on national roads. Let's exercise caution and respect all road regulations when driving," he said.
The accident happened at the 193.5km peg along the Kwekwe-Harare highway at about 7.30 pm.
Police identified the dead as the driver, Tendai Nyamapfeni (42), Fungai Mutovo (an adult woman aged 40), Linda Nyamapfeni (a woman aged 20), a three-month baby boy, Shawn Nyamapfeni and Justice Nyamapfeni (24).
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana said the five are from HQ Five Brigade and are related.
He said all the five and the four injured were travelling in a Mazda B2200 when the accident occurred.
"The truck was being driven by Tendai Nyamapfeni. On approaching the 193,5km peg, Tendai lost control of the vehicle, thereby encroaching onto the lane of an oncoming Scania
bus driven by one Aaron Pirikayi. The Mazda B2200 collided head-on with the Scania bus," said Insp Chademana.
"On contact, the Mazda's canopy flew off into the air and hit another vehicle, which was travelling behind the Mazda B2200, a Toyota Ipsum, which was driven by one Douglas Guwamhiwa. The Ipsum went off the road and the Mazda B2200 hit another car, a Toyota Camry, which was travelling behind the bus. As a result of this chain of accident pile up, five people died on the spot while four sustained serious injuries."
The Midlands police spokesperson said all the four injured were taken to Kwekwe District Hospital where they were still admitted.
"The injured who are admitted at Kwekwe District Hospital are Thanks Nyamapfeni (14), Sincere Nyamapfeni (25), William Nyoni (51) and Sibuso Nyoni all from HQ Five Brigade.
Police investigations into the matter are still going on," said Insp Chademana.
In a similar incident that also occurred on Sunday at the 22km peg along Gweru-Shurugwi road at around 4.20 pm, an unlicensed driver hit an uneven surface and lost control of his vehicle resulting in the car rolling. The driver died on the spot.
Insp Chademana identified the man as Solomon Muzondo (32) of Dollar Plot, which is along the Shurugwi-Gweru road.
"Solomon Muzondo was driving a Honda, white in colour. The car belonged to a Mr Sparks Shoko who was one of the passengers in the car. Muzondo hit an uneven surface at the 22km peg and lost control. The car rolled once, killing the driver on the spot. There were five passengers in the car and they were all injured. The injured are admitted at Shurugwi
District Hospital and their condition is said to be stable," he said.
Insp Chademana urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling along the country's highways.
"Most of the accidents are a result of human error. We are needlessly losing lives, including young lives, when people behave carelessly on national roads. Let's exercise caution and respect all road regulations when driving," he said.
Source - Chronicle
