65 Greyhound passengers escape bus inferno

SIXTY-FIVE passengers, mostly cross-border traders, escaped death by a whisker when a South Africa-bound Greyhound luxury bus they were travelling in caught fire and was reduced to a shell near Masvingo.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday at around 2AM.

He said the bus, a double decker driven by Wishes Muzvidza, 43, of Spring Valley, Ruwa near Harare, was heading towards Beitbridge when it caught fire.

Asst Insp Dehwa said all passengers managed to escape unhurt.

"I confirm receiving a report of an accident involving a South Africa-bound Greyhound double decker bus. Fortunately, all passengers and the bus crew escaped unhurt. Their luggage was also saved," he said.

Asst Insp Dehwa said the driver heard a sound similar to that of a tyre burst after which he slowed down.

"Muzvidza checked using his rear view mirror and saw smoke coming from a rear tyre. He stopped to alert passengers at the same time advising them to maintain their cool. The passengers managed to disembark safely with all their belongings. Soon after, the whole bus was engulfed by fire. The driver tried in vain to extinguish the fire but the bus was reduced to a shell," he said.

Personnel from Masvingo City Council's fire brigade department were summoned to the scene but they only managed to save the trailer.