4 escape death as train, bus collide in Hwange

Four people narrowly escaped death yesterday morning when a Turbo Mining company bus was struck by a train at a level crossing in Hwange Town.

The accident occurred around 9 a.m. along 4 Mile Drive, when the 72-seater bus collided with an oncoming train. The violent impact caused severe structural damage to the bus, leaving bystanders in shock at how anyone survived. Fortunately, only the driver and three passengers were on board at the time, all of whom survived.

Eyewitnesses said the bus driver attempted to cross the railway line as the train approached at high speed. "I was standing nearby when I saw the bus move onto the tracks while the train was already very close. People started shouting, but it was too late. The train hit the bus in the middle and pushed it aside," one witness said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, stabilising the injured before transporting them to Hwange Colliery Hospital. Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed that two people sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospital.

Inspector Banda attributed the accident to driver negligence, noting that preliminary investigations indicate the bus driver failed to realise the train was already on the tracks. He urged motorists to exercise caution when approaching railway crossings, emphasizing the need to stop, look, and listen before crossing.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.