News / Regional
Mbalabala 'blackspot' crash kills 4
17 Feb 2016 at 04:34hrs | Views
FOUR passengers aboard a South Africa-bound Toyota Quantum from Bulawayo died on the spot near Mbalabala along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway yesterday when the vehicle was side-swiped by an overtaking car.
The Quantum overturned and landed on its side. Eight of the 14 passengers who were aboard were seriously injured and are admitted to Esigodini District Hospital.
Only two were treated and discharged.
The accident occurred at around 3:30AM at the 67 kilometre peg.
National police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the fatal accident yesterday.
"It's true that four people died on the spot when a Toyota Quantum they were travelling in was side-swiped a by a private car which intended to overtake. In the process an error happened when the driver of the small vehicle quickly returned to the left lane, side- swiping the quantum," said Snr Ass Comm Charamba.
"The private car which was bearing South African registration numbers also overturned once and landed on its wheels with its female driver, Musline Mahoto, 22, of Mzilikazi, escaping with minor injuries."
"The driver of the Quantum, Thulani Lobukhosi Khumalo, 32, was also treated and discharged. The four deceased's bodies where conveyed to Esigodini District Hospital mortuary. The other eight passengers are admitted in serious condition."
Snr Ass Comm Charamba identified three of the dead whose next of kin have been notified as Nkosana Mpofu, 32, of Methodist Village, Old Pumula, Thepiso Ndlovu, 36, of Nketa 6 and Precious Moyo, 21, of Magwegwe in Bulawayo.
The body of a woman is still to be identified.
"We appeal to members of the public to come forward and identify the body of a woman who died in the accident. Her body is lying at Esigodini District Hospital mortuary but the other three have been identified and their next of kin notified of their death," said Snr Ass Comm Charamba.
She warned motorists to exercise caution when overtaking to avoid unnecessary loss of human life.
"When overtaking, motorists should leave space for other drivers to manoeuvre so that we avoid loss of human life caused by human error.
"It's very sad to lose the life of four people in this way. We urge drivers of foreign vehicles to adhere to speed limits as roads in the country are narrow unlike where they come from where there are wider roads," she said.
The stretch of the road where the accident happened is now a black spot as several motorists and passengers have lost their lives in road accidents.
chronicle
The Quantum overturned and landed on its side. Eight of the 14 passengers who were aboard were seriously injured and are admitted to Esigodini District Hospital.
Only two were treated and discharged.
The accident occurred at around 3:30AM at the 67 kilometre peg.
National police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the fatal accident yesterday.
"It's true that four people died on the spot when a Toyota Quantum they were travelling in was side-swiped a by a private car which intended to overtake. In the process an error happened when the driver of the small vehicle quickly returned to the left lane, side- swiping the quantum," said Snr Ass Comm Charamba.
"The private car which was bearing South African registration numbers also overturned once and landed on its wheels with its female driver, Musline Mahoto, 22, of Mzilikazi, escaping with minor injuries."
"The driver of the Quantum, Thulani Lobukhosi Khumalo, 32, was also treated and discharged. The four deceased's bodies where conveyed to Esigodini District Hospital mortuary. The other eight passengers are admitted in serious condition."
Snr Ass Comm Charamba identified three of the dead whose next of kin have been notified as Nkosana Mpofu, 32, of Methodist Village, Old Pumula, Thepiso Ndlovu, 36, of Nketa 6 and Precious Moyo, 21, of Magwegwe in Bulawayo.
The body of a woman is still to be identified.
"We appeal to members of the public to come forward and identify the body of a woman who died in the accident. Her body is lying at Esigodini District Hospital mortuary but the other three have been identified and their next of kin notified of their death," said Snr Ass Comm Charamba.
She warned motorists to exercise caution when overtaking to avoid unnecessary loss of human life.
"When overtaking, motorists should leave space for other drivers to manoeuvre so that we avoid loss of human life caused by human error.
"It's very sad to lose the life of four people in this way. We urge drivers of foreign vehicles to adhere to speed limits as roads in the country are narrow unlike where they come from where there are wider roads," she said.
The stretch of the road where the accident happened is now a black spot as several motorists and passengers have lost their lives in road accidents.
chronicle
Source - chronicle
