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2 dead in Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway bus crash
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Two people have been confirmed dead following a tragic accident involving three buses along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway on Sunday morning. The crash occurred at the 197km peg and involved buses from Tombs Motorways, Rimbi Tours, and Mbokodo.
Reports indicate that the incident unfolded when a Tombs bus collided with a donkey on the road, causing significant damage. In an effort to assist, a nearby Mbokodo bus pulled over to the scene. However, while the Mbokodo bus and the Tombs bus were stationary, a speeding Rimbi bus crashed into the two vehicles.
An eyewitness, who shared their account in a video posted on social media, explained that the driver of the Rimbi bus was speeding. "Three buses have collided just after Bubi. Tombs hit a donkey and it died on the spot. So Mbokodo pulled over to help and whilst they were still stationary, an overspeeding and probably sleeping Rimbi bus driver hit them," the eyewitness said.
The crash has left many passengers with serious injuries, though the identities of those affected have not yet been disclosed. Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the death of two people in the accident, though further details remain unclear.
"Two people lost their lives, details are still sketchy, and police are yet to get in touch with the deceased's next of kin," Dhewa said.
This incident follows a troubling pattern involving Rimbi Tours, whose operating license was suspended in January of last year after a fatal accident along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway. That crash, which involved a fatal race between a Rimbi bus and a Zebra Kiss bus, claimed the life of a conductor and left several others injured.
Rimbi's operating license was later reinstated after the company presented a safety policy to the government, which was meant to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, this latest crash raises concerns about the effectiveness of the safety measures put in place.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, and efforts are underway to identify the victims and notify their families.
Reports indicate that the incident unfolded when a Tombs bus collided with a donkey on the road, causing significant damage. In an effort to assist, a nearby Mbokodo bus pulled over to the scene. However, while the Mbokodo bus and the Tombs bus were stationary, a speeding Rimbi bus crashed into the two vehicles.
An eyewitness, who shared their account in a video posted on social media, explained that the driver of the Rimbi bus was speeding. "Three buses have collided just after Bubi. Tombs hit a donkey and it died on the spot. So Mbokodo pulled over to help and whilst they were still stationary, an overspeeding and probably sleeping Rimbi bus driver hit them," the eyewitness said.
The crash has left many passengers with serious injuries, though the identities of those affected have not yet been disclosed. Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the death of two people in the accident, though further details remain unclear.
This incident follows a troubling pattern involving Rimbi Tours, whose operating license was suspended in January of last year after a fatal accident along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway. That crash, which involved a fatal race between a Rimbi bus and a Zebra Kiss bus, claimed the life of a conductor and left several others injured.
Rimbi's operating license was later reinstated after the company presented a safety policy to the government, which was meant to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, this latest crash raises concerns about the effectiveness of the safety measures put in place.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, and efforts are underway to identify the victims and notify their families.
Source - NewZimbabwe
