10 die in Easter holiday accidents

21 Apr, 2019 - 00:04 0 Views
10 die in  Easter holiday accidents

The Sunday News

Peter Matika, Senior Reporter

TEN people have died, while 47 others were injured in 96 separate road traffic accidents recorded countrywide since the start of the Easter Holiday on Friday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 70 accidents were recorded while four people died and 24 injured during the same period last year. He attributed the main cause of accidents to human error.

“Most of the accidents are attributed to human error and could have been avoided. In a road traffic accident which occurred along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road on 19 April 2019 at the 77km peg, an Isuzu truck which was heading towards Harare developed a mechanical fault and stopped in the middle of the road. In the process, the driver of a Toyota Dyna truck, which was following behind rammed into the stationary vehicle. A passenger who was in the loading box of the lsuzu truck jumped out of the vehicle into the lane of vehicles travelling in the opposite direction and was hit by a passing motorist and died on the spot,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said some accidents were hit and runs.

“In another accident which occurred at the 23km peg along the Harare-Mutare Road near Ruwa, a driver of a Honda CRV hit a Toyota vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road. It hit the vehicle from behind killing two people on the spot. Two people were crushed to death, as drivers took off without checking to see if there were people beneath the vehicles. We urge motorists to check under vehicles for various objects and children before taking off,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said the major cause for fatal accidents was related to speeding, misjudgement and overtaking.

“We urge motorists to travel at safe speeds to observe proper following distance from other vehicles. In the event of a breakdown vehicles should be parked off the road to allow free passage to other road users. Police also urge motorists to value human life and to always be alert in order to curb road accidents,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

@peterkmatika

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