News / National
Road accident claims seven family members
28 Oct 2013 at 03:28hrs | Views
The wreckage of the Toyota Corolla in which seven family members perished in Gweru yesterday
SEVEN family members, including a three-year-old girl, died on the spot in Gweru yesterday afternoon when their Toyota Corolla was involved in an accident with a bus, resulting in part of the driver's side of the vehicle being ripped off.
The accident occurred at around 1:30pm in Daylesford low-density suburb, 6km along the Gweru-Shurugwi Road.
When The Herald crew arrived at the scene 30 minutes later, bodies of the victims were still trapped in the mangled wreckage.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the Toyota Corolla, which was heading towards Gweru, lost control of the vehicle, straddled the white centre line before sideswiping with the a Shurugwi-bound bus.
"The driver of the small car lost control and veered off the road to the left verge. He battled the car and tried to swing it back into the road but failed to maintain his lane. He encroached into the right lane where he sideswiped with an oncoming bus. Things happened very fast," said the witness.
Police are withholding the names of the deceased until their next of kin have been informed.
Deputy Officer Commanding Midlands Province Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube said the seven were on their way from a family function in Mberengwa when tragedy struck.
He said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the Toyota Corolla was speeding.
"The Toyota Corolla was coming from Mberengwa and had seven people on board, all from the same family.
"The seven people including a three-year-old girl died on the spot. However, no one aboard the bus was injured," he said.
Asst Comm Ncube said the bodies of the victims were ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital Mortuary.
"We advise all motorists to abide by road rules and regulations to avoid accidents," said Asst Comm Ncube.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands Cde Jason Machaya, who visited the accident scene, encouraged motorists to drive safely.
"We are deeply saddened by this incident. As the Government we would want to ensure that road accidents are reduced and motorists adhere to speed limits," he said.
The accident occurred at around 1:30pm in Daylesford low-density suburb, 6km along the Gweru-Shurugwi Road.
When The Herald crew arrived at the scene 30 minutes later, bodies of the victims were still trapped in the mangled wreckage.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the Toyota Corolla, which was heading towards Gweru, lost control of the vehicle, straddled the white centre line before sideswiping with the a Shurugwi-bound bus.
"The driver of the small car lost control and veered off the road to the left verge. He battled the car and tried to swing it back into the road but failed to maintain his lane. He encroached into the right lane where he sideswiped with an oncoming bus. Things happened very fast," said the witness.
Police are withholding the names of the deceased until their next of kin have been informed.
Deputy Officer Commanding Midlands Province Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube said the seven were on their way from a family function in Mberengwa when tragedy struck.
"The Toyota Corolla was coming from Mberengwa and had seven people on board, all from the same family.
"The seven people including a three-year-old girl died on the spot. However, no one aboard the bus was injured," he said.
Asst Comm Ncube said the bodies of the victims were ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital Mortuary.
"We advise all motorists to abide by road rules and regulations to avoid accidents," said Asst Comm Ncube.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands Cde Jason Machaya, who visited the accident scene, encouraged motorists to drive safely.
"We are deeply saddened by this incident. As the Government we would want to ensure that road accidents are reduced and motorists adhere to speed limits," he said.
Source - Herald
