Beatrice Imbayago

NINE people perished after the car they were traveling in hit a cow and veered into the lane of oncoming traffic, which resulted in a head-on collision along the Harare-Shamva road recently.

The accident occurred at the 88-kilometer peg and involved a Toyota Siena which was carrying 13 passengers and a Toyota Land Cruiser, which had three passengers on board.

National Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said that the Siena vehicle which was traveling towards Shamva, hit a cow which resulted in it veering into the lane of oncoming traffic, where a head-on collision with a land Cruiser resulted in the tragic loss of lives. Eight passengers from the Siena died on the spot, while the other one succumbed to injuries at Shamva Hospital.

The other passengers on board were rushed to Bindura Hospital, Shamva Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for medical attention and treatment.

Meanwhile, the police are urging motorists to exercise caution on the roads as they risk losing their lives due to reckless driving.

“We continue to urge motorists to take extra caution on the road, motorists should not be over zealous while they are on the steering wheel as they will be putting themselves and the passengers on board at risk of accidents,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

People, he also said, should ensure they do not over load their cars as this would endanger them when the unfortunate happens.

“Passengers must learn to get off/board cars that are over loaded as they will be putting themselves at risk. It is better to be late than to be the late,” he said.

The Siena carries a maximum of seven passengers, but was carrying 13 people at the time of the accident.

The police also urged motorists to exercise caution on the country’s roads and to adhere to all traffic rules and regulations.

“Drivers should prioritise road safety and observe all road rules and regulations in order to curb road accidents,” he said.

Nyathi said drivers must be sober while driving so that they can take precautions easily when the need arises.

“Motorists must exercise caution on the country’s roads and adhere to all traffic rules and regulations. Drivers should prioritise road safety and observe all road rules and regulations in order to curb road accidents.”

The accident comes barely two weeks after the province experienced a nasty accident which claimed the lives of 5 children from Bindura.

New Ziana