14 injured in commuter omnibus accident

FOURTEEN people, three of them Founders High School pupils were today injured in Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned.

The kombi driver, who allegedly sustained head injuries, refused to be taken to the hospital.

The accident occurred along Masiyemapambili Road near the Grain Marketing Board at about 641AM and the kombi was travelling from New Magwegwe suburb headed for Belmont industrial area.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said all passengers were injured but the driver refused to be taken to hospital.

“They were 14 people aged between 13 and 63 years in the Kombi. 12 of the passengers were male while the other two were women. The passengers were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospitalwhile the kombi driver refused to be taken to hospital although he complained of head injuries,” said Mr Peterson.

14 injured in commuter omnibus accident

He said three of the people who were in the Kombi were Founders High School pupils.

“The pupils aged 13, 14 and 19 were part of the people who were in the Kombi,” he said.

Mr Petersen said speeding by public transport drivers was leading to unnecessary loss of lives.

“The accident occurred in a very clear place. As the emergency services we continue to respond to road accidents which result in deaths and injuries. The majority of these accidents are avoidable but due to speeding, drivers fail to control their vehicles,” said Mr Petersen.

He urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads as they are entrusted with people’s lives.

Source-Chronicle