News / National
Man 'throws self' at speeding bus
15 Oct 2015 at 06:26hrs | Views
A 39-YEAR-OLD Plumtree man died after he was hit by a bus along the Bulawayo- Plumtree Highway in what witnesses suspect to be a suicide.
The man, Stephen Jack, who resided at Mavuka Farm was on his way home from a drinking spree in Plumtree when the incident occurred around 2AM yesterday.
Passengers who were travelling onboard J.J Motorways which was bound for Botswana coming from Harare said Jack dashed in front of the oncoming bus.
Freedom Maphosa said he suspected Jack intentionally jumped in front of the bus.
"We were stopped by the police at a roadblock which is normally mounted at the entrance of the border town. As we were heading for Plumtree Town, a man was on the other lane of the road and it appeared that he wanted to cross as he was standing close to the centre marking," said Maphosa.
"As the bus approached he quickly dashed in front of the bus and it hit him. It seems like he had calculated his move because at the time when the bus neared he was stationary but later dashed in front of the coming bus."
A police source who attended the scene said it had not been ascertained whether Jack had intentionally jumped or had staggered in front of the moving bus since he was drunk.
"It seems this man was extremely drunk at the time he left a bar where he was drinking the previous day. His mates who parted with him as he proceeded home said he was staggering," said the cop.
"At the moment it still remains unclear whether he wanted to get across the road and because of alcohol staggered and fell as the bus approached or he dashed in front of it on purpose."
The driver of the bus whose named could not be immediately ascertained said he tried to swerve off the road after realising that Jack had dashed onto the road, but it was too late to avoid him.
Jack's cousin Alwyn Kikkins who was also his employer said he suspected that the incident was a result of the driver's negligence.
He said the bus hit Jack and dragged him for about 90 metres before stopping.
Kikkins said his late cousin had not shown any signs of depression and dismissed suspicions that he had committed suicide.
He said he suspected that the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit his cousin just because he was speeding.
"The bus dragged my cousin for a distance of about 90 metres before it finally stopped. He suffered broken arms and feet and a smashed skull," he said.
"I know my cousin very well because we were close and he was also the supervisor of my company. If there was something amiss I would have known."
Kikkins said his family expected justice to take its course in the matter.
The man, Stephen Jack, who resided at Mavuka Farm was on his way home from a drinking spree in Plumtree when the incident occurred around 2AM yesterday.
Passengers who were travelling onboard J.J Motorways which was bound for Botswana coming from Harare said Jack dashed in front of the oncoming bus.
Freedom Maphosa said he suspected Jack intentionally jumped in front of the bus.
"We were stopped by the police at a roadblock which is normally mounted at the entrance of the border town. As we were heading for Plumtree Town, a man was on the other lane of the road and it appeared that he wanted to cross as he was standing close to the centre marking," said Maphosa.
"As the bus approached he quickly dashed in front of the bus and it hit him. It seems like he had calculated his move because at the time when the bus neared he was stationary but later dashed in front of the coming bus."
A police source who attended the scene said it had not been ascertained whether Jack had intentionally jumped or had staggered in front of the moving bus since he was drunk.
"It seems this man was extremely drunk at the time he left a bar where he was drinking the previous day. His mates who parted with him as he proceeded home said he was staggering," said the cop.
The driver of the bus whose named could not be immediately ascertained said he tried to swerve off the road after realising that Jack had dashed onto the road, but it was too late to avoid him.
Jack's cousin Alwyn Kikkins who was also his employer said he suspected that the incident was a result of the driver's negligence.
He said the bus hit Jack and dragged him for about 90 metres before stopping.
Kikkins said his late cousin had not shown any signs of depression and dismissed suspicions that he had committed suicide.
He said he suspected that the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit his cousin just because he was speeding.
"The bus dragged my cousin for a distance of about 90 metres before it finally stopped. He suffered broken arms and feet and a smashed skull," he said.
"I know my cousin very well because we were close and he was also the supervisor of my company. If there was something amiss I would have known."
Kikkins said his family expected justice to take its course in the matter.
Source - chronicle
