7 killed as buses from same company crash into each other

HARARE – Two buses from the same company crashed into each other in Chivhu early Thursday, killing at least seven people.

The buses, owned by Jarax Bus Company, side-swiped near the Pambi River. One was going towards Harare from Masvingo and the other going to Masvingo from Harare, police said.

“The one from Harare had 57 passengers on board while the other from Masvingo had eleven. On approaching the 98km peg, the driver of the bus from Masvingo encroached into the lane of the oncoming bus and the two buses side swiped,” said police spokesperson Senior Assistant Inspector Charity Charamba in a statement.

“The bus from Masvingo veered of the road, overturned before it landed on its right side. The one from Harare also veered off the road to the left, overturned and landed on its wheels and as a result seven people died and their bodies were taken to Chivhu General Hospital Mortuary.”

Chivhu General Hospital was treating the injured.

Snr Ass Comm Charamba warned drivers against “straddling the centre of the road”, adding: “We also urge them to avoid driving during the night when most accidents occur.”