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Twenty people are lucky to be alive when the commuter omnibus a Mercedes Benz Sprinter (single wheel) they were travelling in burst its right rear tyre, veered off the road, rolled once before plunging into a ditch. The vehicle was heading to Bulawayo from Gweru when the accident happened at the 20km peg after Ntabazinduna tollgate. All the passengers were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals. —(Picture Nkosizile Ndlovu)

Loveness Bepete and Emily Mbewe Chronicle Reporter
TWENTY people yesterday cheated death by a whisker after a commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst a tyre, veered off the road and overturned.

The injured passengers were ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals after sustaining broken ribs, hands, fractured legs and severe head injuries.

A Chronicle news team visited the accident scene at the 20km peg just after the Ntabazinduna tollgate, along the Bulawayo-Harare Highway.

The driver of the commuter omnibus, Edward Siziba, 37, said his vehicle’s right rear tyre burst resulting in him losing control of the vehicle.

“I’m shocked as the vehicle didn’t have any problems. The tyre burst and for about 50 metres I tried to control it, but it eventually hit a concrete pillar and overturned.

“People were thrown out of the vehicle and were strewn all over the place,” Siziba said.

Four ambulances were immediately dispatched to ferry the victims to hospital.

Meanwhile, there was drama at the accident scene after family members of one of the accident victims attacked the driver accusing him of being reckless.

The family members, who declined to be named, said the vehicle’s tyres were worn out.

“Murikufamba nembama (thread bare tyres) and you tell us the tyre naturally burst. Would you use such tyres on your own car? How does a tyre burst when it’s raining? You almost killed our sister. If it wasn’t for the police officers here we would have beaten you up,” said one of the five family members.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not be reached for comment.