News / National
Festive season accidents death toll rises to 41
23 Dec 2013 at 12:43hrs | Views
Police say 41 people have been killed and 182 others injured in 537 recorded accidents countrywide since the festive season began.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said Masvingo province had the highest number with 14 people having been killed since the beginning of the festive season followed by Manicaland with seven deaths.
Chief Superintendent Nyathi said Manicaland registered the seven deaths after an accident involving a commuter omnibus which occurred near Rusape along the Harare-Mutare high way.
Three people died on the spot while four others died later at Mutare General Hospital.
15 others were injured.
The accident occurred after the left rear tyre of the commuter omnibus burst, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road before hitting a tree.
The police indicated that the commuter omnibus was carrying 22 passengers and investigations are still on course to establish the carrying capacity of the commuter omnibus since most of them have a carrying capacity of between 15 to 18 passengers.
Chief Superintendent Nyathi warned errant public service vehicle drivers against overloading, adding that they should ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.
The police are on record calling for public service vehicle drivers to desist from overloading.
However, due to volumes of travellers during holidays, overloading is the order of the day.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said Masvingo province had the highest number with 14 people having been killed since the beginning of the festive season followed by Manicaland with seven deaths.
Chief Superintendent Nyathi said Manicaland registered the seven deaths after an accident involving a commuter omnibus which occurred near Rusape along the Harare-Mutare high way.
Three people died on the spot while four others died later at Mutare General Hospital.
15 others were injured.
The accident occurred after the left rear tyre of the commuter omnibus burst, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road before hitting a tree.
The police indicated that the commuter omnibus was carrying 22 passengers and investigations are still on course to establish the carrying capacity of the commuter omnibus since most of them have a carrying capacity of between 15 to 18 passengers.
Chief Superintendent Nyathi warned errant public service vehicle drivers against overloading, adding that they should ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.
The police are on record calling for public service vehicle drivers to desist from overloading.
However, due to volumes of travellers during holidays, overloading is the order of the day.
Source - zbc
