News / National
8 die in road accident
15 Apr 2013 at 21:54hrs | Views
At least eight people died, seven of them on the spot, when a Toyota Regius they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Gwanda-Bulawayo Highway yesterday.
Officer commanding police southern region, Chief Superintendent Peter Rwodzi, confirmed that the Bulawayo bound vehicle overturned on the 13km peg at about 8.10am, killing the seven on the spot.
"Nine people survived the accident, while one died on the way to the United Bulawayo Hospitals. Four females and three males died on the spot. We suspect that the left rear tyre of the vehicle might have burst or separated, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn," he said.
Chief Supt Rwodzi said they would send the tyre samples for forensic tests.
"We cannot rule out the possibility of speeding as a cause for the accident, though we are yet to ascertain the cause," said Chief Supt Rwodzi.
He said there was need for motorists to change tyres on imported vehicles to ones suitable to the country's environment. Chief Supt Rwodzi said the vehicle was from Gwanda town and those who died were from the Matabeleland South capital and Esigodini.
"Most people who have been calling to ask about their relatives are from the two areas," said Chief Supt Rwodzi.
The driver was one of the survivors.
There were skid marks on the road about 100 metres away from where the car wreckage was found. The seven bodies were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary. The news crew also visited the nine survivors who were visibly in pain and shock and could not narrate what had happened.
Officer commanding police southern region, Chief Superintendent Peter Rwodzi, confirmed that the Bulawayo bound vehicle overturned on the 13km peg at about 8.10am, killing the seven on the spot.
"Nine people survived the accident, while one died on the way to the United Bulawayo Hospitals. Four females and three males died on the spot. We suspect that the left rear tyre of the vehicle might have burst or separated, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn," he said.
Chief Supt Rwodzi said they would send the tyre samples for forensic tests.
"We cannot rule out the possibility of speeding as a cause for the accident, though we are yet to ascertain the cause," said Chief Supt Rwodzi.
He said there was need for motorists to change tyres on imported vehicles to ones suitable to the country's environment. Chief Supt Rwodzi said the vehicle was from Gwanda town and those who died were from the Matabeleland South capital and Esigodini.
"Most people who have been calling to ask about their relatives are from the two areas," said Chief Supt Rwodzi.
The driver was one of the survivors.
There were skid marks on the road about 100 metres away from where the car wreckage was found. The seven bodies were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary. The news crew also visited the nine survivors who were visibly in pain and shock and could not narrate what had happened.
Source - TH
