HARARE – Four people died and three others were injured following a high-speed vehicle collision in Kariba on Sunday, police said.

An out-of-control Mercedes Benz C200 encroached into the lane of a BMW X5 and the two vehicles collided, killing both drivers.

Two passengers in the Mercedes also died on the spot, trapped in mangled metal after the vehicle caught fire.

Police said three passengers in the BMW were injured and are receiving treatment at Kariba Hospital.

Witnesses said the Mercedes Benz, coming from the Kariba Airport direction, drove a distance of about 30 meters on the side of the road as the driver appeared to be battling with some mechanical issue.

Tyre imprints on the tarred road suggested the Mercedes driver was braking, but the vehicle was carrying too much speed.

When the driver finally got it back on the road, the vehicle hurtled into the path of the BMW which was driving towards Harare. The impact was so catastrophic the Mercedes was shrivelled into a pile of metal, while the BMW suffered extensive damage to the front.

Fire fighters from Kariba put off the blaze in the Mercedes, but the vehicle’s occupants were already dead.

Written-off … Residents of nearby Nyamhunga township and other motorists witnessing rescue effort
Carnage … The Mercedes Benz was unrecognisable after crash and fire
Major accident … Thick black smoke rising after Mercedes Benz caught fire following Kariba crash