Kombi overturns into ditch, 18 cheat death The commuter omnibus lies on its roof in a storm drain along Khami Road in Bulawayo yesterday
The commuter omnibus lies on its roof in a storm drain along Khami Road in Bulawayo yesterday

The commuter omnibus lies on its roof in a storm drain along Khami Road in Bulawayo yesterday

Factmore Dzobo Senior Reporter
SIXTEEN people escaped death by a whisker yesterday when the driver of a commuter omnibus they were travelling in failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle veered off the road and landed on its roof in a ditch along Khami road in Bulawayo.

Two people were seriously injured in the accident which happened at around 2:30PM.

The kombi was travelling from the city centre to Nkulumane 12 suburb with 18 passengers on board.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the accident.

“Yes we received an accident report which happened around 2:30 PM along Khami road and we’re still investigating the cause of the accident. Two people were seriously injured and others escaped with minor injuries and were taken to Mpilo Central Hospital,” said Insp Moyo.

Eyewitnesses said the commuter omnibus driver was speeding.

Maibongwe Mpofu, one of the kombi passengers, said he heard a sudden bang and the next thing he found himself in a ditch.

“I just heard a bang and I think it was from the impact of the kombi hitting a kerb before it landed on its roof in the ditch. I only found myself in this drainage ditch and I came out unhurt but the driver was speeding,” said Mpofu.

A police officer who witnessed the accident said the young driver was speeding and there are suspicions that he might have been drinking alcohol.

“I was just behind the kombi, travelling from town and I saw it veer off the road in front of me before it overturned and landed in the ditch. I suspect the young driver was drunk because a half empty bottle of whisky was found in the vehicle,” he said.

Another witness urged police to arrest under age drivers and others who drive under the influence of alcohol as they put people’s lives at risk.

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