SIX people died while 12 others were injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst its rear tyre and veered off the road before rolling twice and landing on its side at Marula along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road yesterday.
Although efforts to get an official comment from the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi and Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele of Matabeleland South were fruitless last night, police who attended the scene confirmed that six people had died.
“Six people have died while 12 others were injured and rushed to Plumtree District Hospital where some were transferred to Bulawayo for further medical assistance,” said a police officer at the scene who declined to be named.
The vehicle was going to Mphoengs from Bulawayo.
When Sunday News visited the scene the owner of the vehicle who also refused to be named said he was at a loss for words.
He said he could not say much on the accident as he was still to be furnished with details of what transpired.
However, the driver of the omnibus Mr Thabani Ncube who escaped with an injured arm could hardly contain himself when the news crew caught up with him at Plumtree District Hospital.
“I was driving when suddenly the rear tyre burst. I then lost control of the vehicle and it rolled twice before landing on the other side of the road. People have died and some injured,” he said before leaving the hospital to look for public transport to Bulawayo for medical care as the only ambulance that was available was already full with the injured people.
Witnesses to the accident said despite the tyre burst, the driver was speeding which could have contributed to the fatal accident.
“The driver was speeding. He wanted to go to Mphoengs and return today. But unfortunately, that was not to be as it has resulted in the death of so many people,” said the witness.
Officials at Plumtree District Hospital said they rendered primary care to the injured who they quickly transferred to Bulawayo for further treatment as some had visible serious head injuries.