Bus misses bridge, plunges into flooded river

SEVENTY passengers escaped death after a Mayezana bus missed a bridge across Shashane River in Kezi, Matobo District.

The driver of the bus, which was travelling from Bulawayo to Kezi, attempted to cross the flooded river on Thursday afternoon. Eyewitnesses said passengers escaped through windows and thedoor.

Chief Malachi Masuku said the area had received heavy rains for four consecutive days when the accident occurred.

He said when the incident occurred the bus had about 70 people as only a handful of passengers had dropped off. "A bus fell into Shashane River in Fumugwe area on Thursday afternoon. We had been receiving heavy rains for four consecutive days and when the driver reached the crossing point the river was flooded and the bridge was not visible.

"He attempted to go across and passengers had to climb out of the bus through windows to safety," he said. Chief Masuku said there was a need for drivers to exercise caution when approaching flooded rivers.

A traveller who was on the bus, George Ndebele, said they waited for several hours for water to subside for villagers to get the bus back onto its wheels. In January this year, 75 people travelling on an AJAY Motorways bus escaped with minor injuries when the bus plunged into Mathongwane River in Mangwe District following heavy rains.

The Brunapeg bound bus was coming from Bulawayo. Its driver waited for an hour for water level to drop. When he saw pedestrians crossing on foot he and decided to continue with the journey, but missed the bridge.