Zupco bus accident, 13 dead, 18 seriously injured

Thirteen people died, while 18 others were seriously injured in a road traffic accident that occurred last night along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway, near the Shamva turn off toll gate.

Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said ten people died on the spot, while three others died on admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

The accident which occurred at around 11:47pm, involved a cross border Zupco bus coming from Malawi and a Mujawo Transport inter-truck that was going in the opposite direction.

Chief Supt Nyathi said the truck driver, Wonderful Nyamurambe (42) told police that as he was approaching a bridge, he saw some clothes dumped in the middle of the road and stopped the truck suspecting there were people sleeping on the road.

Nyamurambe said as he was reversing, the Zupco bus which was coming from the opposite direction with 43 passengers on board side-swiped the truck.

The bus veered off the road and plunged into the river landing by the left side and in the process killing ten people on the spot.

Police appealed to drivers especially those travelling at night to be observant and avoid speeding to safeguard lives.