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Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Reporter

SIX people died and eleven were injured yesterday in an accident involving a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck at the intersection of Khami Road and Siyephambili Drive near Nkulumane Complex in Bulawayo, police confirmed.

The horrific accident is said to have occurred around 5am when the kombi sped through a red traffic light and rammed into the truck. 

When Chronicle arrived at the scene the bodies of the dead and the injured had been removed while the kombi which was extensively damaged was still at the scene.

Hundreds of shocked members of the public including motorists were at the scene. 

National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “A non-Zupco Toyota Hiace kombi with 17 occupants went through a red robot (traffic light) and rammed into a moving truck before it was trapped between the horse and trailer and dragged for about 30 metres.” 

Bulawayo City Council chief fire officer Mr Linos Phiri  said the fire brigade received a call around 5.45am.

He said the crew removed seven passengers who were trapped inside the kombi when they arrived.

“A commuter omnibus overturned and landed on the roof trapping the passengers and the driver inside the vehicle after a collision with a haulage truck. The brigade extricated seven people who were trapped inside the kombi with six of them already dead,” he said.

Mr Phiri said the injured were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital by three ambulances.

Former Bulawayo mayor, Mr David Ndlovu who was at the scene said it was unfortunate that lives continue to be lost due to carelessness by drivers.

Meanwhile, six Harare Polytechnic members of staff who were coming to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) escaped death by a whisker when the bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident on Sunday.

“The Harare Polytechnic bus that was ferrying its members to the ZITF in Bulawayo was involved in an accident at the 374km peg on the Bulawayo-Harare road when the driver lost control of the vehicle and went off the road. The vehicle rolled twice and landed on its left side,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

He said the injured were ferried to hospital for treatment.

— @themkhust