The Sunday Mail
Livingstone Marufu
SIX mourners, four from the same family, died while 11 other people were injured when a Toyota Hilux twin cab they were travelling in burst a front tyre before veering off the road and overturning several times along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway on Friday night.
The accident occurred at the 23 km peg near Umwinsidale Service Station in Glen Lorne just before the tollgate to Murehwa.
The 17 passengers who were in the vehicle including the driver were on their way to Mutoko to attend a funeral.
Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi told The Sunday Mail that five people died on the spot while one died on admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
The other 11 members including the driver were rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where their conditions were reported to be stable.
Chief Superitandent Nyathi said,
“The driver (Kelvin Mutsa) (20) was driving a twin cab Toyota Hilux vehicle due east towards Murewa with 16 passengers on board going to attend a funeral in Mutoko.
“On approaching the 23km peg, the vehicle burst its front left tyre and the driver lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road to the left, overturned and landed on its wheels.
“Five people died on the spot while 12 others including the driver were injured and taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare where one person died on admission. Of the deceased, four are from the same family.
“The bodies of the deceased were also taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary for post mortem.”
The Sunday Mail managed to get the names of the deceased whose bodies are at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary last night, but could not publish the names as police said they were yet to inform their next of kin.
One of the relatives who travelled from Norton, but refused to be named, said he had identified one of the bodies and could not give details on funeral arrangements as he was yet to consult other family members.
Hospital authorities said the driver Mr Mautsa, did not sustain major injuries and was discharged on Friday night.
Police urged motorists to adhere to stipulated road safety rules and regulations to safeguard lives.
On Christams last month, a Harare family of four perished in a horrific accident when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck in Louis Trichardt, South Africa.
Hillary Ruswa, 45, his wife Victoria ,42, and their two children Rutendo,15, and a two-year old baby died on the spot while two other children survived the accident.
Another family of six died when their Nissan truck sideswiped a South African registered Audi sedan along the Harare-Masvingo road late last year.
Chirumhanzi Rural District council employee Charles Nyika and his wife together with their three children and a grandchild died in the accident, after Nyika turned right in front of an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision.
