A somber cloud hangs over Zimbabwe today, as the nation mourns the loss of life in two separate, devastating road accidents that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The incidents, which took place along the Mutare-Masvingo Road and in Harare, have shaken the country and served as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on our roads.
The first accident, a heart-wrenching spectacle of mangled metal and shattered lives, unfolded at around 1:30 PM along the Mutare-Masvingo Road, at the 134-kilometre peg. A Mitsubishi Colt, carrying a full complement of passengers, was making its way along the highway when disaster struck. The front right tyre of the vehicle suddenly burst, sending the vehicle careening off course. The driver, caught off guard, struggled to regain control as the vehicle veered off the road, rolling over multiple times before finally coming to a rest back on its wheels.
“The accident resulted in the tragic deaths of three people who were travelling in the Mitsubishi Colt,” confirmed the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in a statement.
The news of the loss of life has brought sorrow in the nation, with families and communities reeling from the impact of the tragedy.
Nine other occupants of the ill-fated vehicle sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. They were swiftly transported to the nearby Birchenough Bridge Hospital for urgent medical attention, where they are currently receiving treatment and care.
The bodies of the deceased were also taken to the hospital’s mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The ZRP is currently investigating the incident, seeking to understand the contributing factors that led to the tyre burst and subsequent accident.
As the sun began to rise on Friday morning, a second accident, equally tragic, occurred in Harare, along Willowvale Road, opposite the Old Willowvale Flats. A Toyota Hiace Kombi, carrying a multitude of passengers, collided head-on with a Honda Fit vehicle. The impact of the collision was forceful, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake.
One individual lost their life in the crash, while 13 others sustained injuries of varying degrees. The injured were rushed to Harare hospital for immediate medical attention.
