Elizabeth Tsuro and Faith Mabuto Midlands Reporters
FIVE people died on the spot and nine others were seriously injured when a vehicle they were travelling in burst a rear tyre and overturned at the 130km peg along the Kwekwe-Gokwe road yesterday. The accident occurred at around 11.45AM when a Nissan Vannette burst its left rear tyre, veered off the road and rolled once before landing on its wheels near Green Diamond hotel in Gokwe.
National Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident. “The driver Farai Maseko, 21, was driving a Nissan Vannette vehicle along the Kwekwe-Gokwe road towards Gokwe with 13 passengers on board. On approaching the 130km peg, the vehicle burst its left rear tyre and the driver lost control of the vehicle. It veered off the road to the right and overturned before landing on its wheels.”
Chief Supt Nyathi said five people died on the spot while nine others who were seriously injured, were rushed to Gokwe District Hospital for treatment. “The bodies of the deceased were also taken to Gokwe District Hospital mortuary for post mortem,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said police are conducting investigations into the circumstances which led to the accident.
The names of the deceased, he said, would be released in due course once their next of kin have been advised.