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Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A Grade Three pupil in Gweru was yesterday run over by a truck and died on the spot while her friend sustained serious injuries while attempting to cross a busy road, police have said.The accident occurred at 6AM yesterday at Mkoba 16 business centre.

Witnesses said the two pupils, both girls aged nine, were on their way to their school, Takunda Primary School.

A woman who operates a flea market close to the scene of the accident said there was a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus which was parked at the junction loading passengers.

“The kombi was obstructing people who wanted to cross the busy road as they could not see the other side properly. The two girls attempted to cross the road and that is when an oncoming truck ran over them resulting in the death of one of the kids while the other sustained serious injuries. I am still to come to terms with what I saw this morning. The two girls were coming from Mkoba 12 on their way to Takunda Primary when the truck hit them,” she said yesterday.

Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko said Trust Chiketa, 26, was driving a Toyota Dyna truck and had no passengers on board when he hit two school girls.

“I can confirm that there was a fatal accident that took place at Mkoba 16 business centre where one pedestrian was killed while the other was seriously injured. The driver of the truck, Trust Chiketa, was approaching the intersection as the two children were crossing the road. He hit the two children resulting in one of them sustaining serious head injuries and died on the spot. The other girl sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital where she is admitted. There was a stationary vehicle which obstructed the two children from seeing what was happening from the other side,” said Insp Goko.

He appealed to motorists to be always alert and be on the lookout for children when driving.

“We appeal to the motoring public to exercise extra caution when using roads. Children are the responsibility of every adult in the country. We also urge parents and guardians to always accompany children on their way to school. They should help them cross busy roads,” he said.