Man commits suicide after surviving a car accident

IN a suspected suicide, a driver who fled from an accident scene after his car hit a tree on 18 February was recently found dead. The accident reportedly occurred at around 4 pm at Insuza near Hlanganani Primary School.  The driver, Alfred Lungani Gumbo (32), reportedly lost control of the Nissan pick up truck he was driving and hit a tree.  He was reportedly trapped in the vehicle together with three passengers.

Gumbo reportedly ran away from the scene as soon as passersby rescued him.  His relatives thought that he committed suicide thinking that some of the passengers had died.

The officer commanding crime in Lupane police district, Superintendent Obert Ngirazi said the driver was involved in an accident while driving a Nissan pick up truck from Hlanganani Business Centre to Insuza Business Centre.

"Mr Alfred Lungani Gumbo (32) was involved in a road traffic accident, on his way to Insuza Business Centre.

"He had three passengers on board," said Supt Ngirazi.

He said when witnesses to the accident helped him and other passengers out of the car; he ran into a nearby bush and disappeared.

"Witnesses went to assist the victims of the accident, when they opened the door, the driver immediately dashed to the nearby bush and was not seen again," said Supt Ngirazi.

He said one of the passengers escaped unhurt while another sustained a fractured leg.  The other suffered bruises on his head.

The two who were injured have since been discharged from Mpilo Central Hospital.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the suspected suicide.

"The driver who could not be located after he fled from the scene of the accident was found hanging from a tree branch by a man herding cattle on 29 February at around 9am.

"Mr Gumbo's body was at an advanced state of decomposition," she said.