Five people died on the spot while nine others were seriously injured on Sunday morning when a Nissan Vannette truck they were travelling in burst its rear tyre and veered off the road near Green Diamond Hotel in Gokwe, Midlands province.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident last night.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of five people in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 130km peg along Kwekwe-Gokwe Road near Green Diamond Hotel, Gokwe, on December 6, 2015, at around 1145 hours,” Nyathi said.
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“Circumstances are that, Farai Maseko (21) was driving a Nissan Vannette towards Gokwe with 13 passengers on board. On approaching the 130km peg, the vehicle burst its left rear tyre. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road to the right and overturned before landing on its wheels.”
He said the injured were taken to Gokwe District Hospital for treatment.
“The bodies of the deceased were also taken to Gokwe District Hospital for post-mortem,” Nyathi said.
He said the names of the deceased would be released in due course once their next of kin had been advised.-NEwsday