Man fatally hit by truck while relieving himself along highway

CHEGUTU man died on the spot Tuesday night after being hit by a truck while relieving himself by the road-side along the Harare-Gweru highway, police have confirmed.

Spencer Sambatayi, 58, of Kurukuru Farm in Chegutu had got off a mini bas travelling towards Gweru at the 240km peg along the motorway when tragedy struck as he squatted by the roadside, engaged in his ablutions.

Midlands police spokesman, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, said the accident occurred after a tipper truck slowed down to avoid hitting the bus.

"Sambatayi who was traveling in a commuter omnibus had just disembarked from the Kombi to relieve himself when the driver of a tipper truck who was traveling behind the Kombi slowed down after noticing the parked Kombi," said Insp. Mahoko.

However, a Scania Marcopolo coach, which was also travelling in the same direction, then hit the truck from behind, forcing it off the road.

"The tipper truck veered off the road and hit Sambatayi who was squatting while relieving himself. Sambatayi died on the spot and his body was taken to Kwekwe District Hospital mortuary by the police. Motorist should avoid following the vehicle in front very closely and stick to stipulated distances between two vehicles," said Mahoko.