GWERU – A tragic accident involving a cross-border Hungwe Coaches bus has claimed the lives of six people, including a four-year-old child, after the vehicle overturned at a roundabout near the Fairmile Hotel in Gweru yesterday morning. The bus, en route from Francistown, Botswana, to Harare, was carrying cross-border traders and their luggage when the accident occurred around 7AM.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the fatal road traffic accident in a statement, noting that five people died at the scene and 21 others were injured. “The driver failed to negotiate the roundabout and lost control of the vehicle. The bus was coming from Botswana,” the police stated. They clarified that no other vehicle was involved in the accident.
However, reports later indicated that the death toll had risen to six. Among the deceased are four adult females and one female juvenile, according to the police. Ten of the 21 injured are currently admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital, receiving treatment for their injuries.
The Gweru Fire Brigade and other security sector stakeholders responded swiftly to the scene, working to rescue passengers trapped inside the overturned bus. Several passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Gweru City Council Chief Fire Officer, Mr Felix Muguti, commended the swift response of the rescue teams. “Upon receiving the distress call around 7AM, we immediately co-ordinated with our stakeholders, including ambulance services and military personnel,” he said. “We successfully rescued several injured passengers and ensured they were transported to Gweru Provincial Hospital for treatment. We also recovered five bodies, including that of the minor. I want to commend our stakeholders for their swift and effective response.”
Dr Fabian Mashingaidze, Gweru Provincial Hospital Superintendent, confirmed that the hospital had attended to a total of 48 patients from the accident scene. “We attended to 48 patients, four are currently in theatre,” he said. “One patient sustained head injuries and will be transferred to Harare. There were five fatalities: four females and one child.” Dr Mashingaidze added that the child was four years old, while the other two identified deceased were aged 38 and 48. Two remain unidentified. The driver was treated and is now stable.
Of those injured, six were reported to be in critical condition, 10 were severely wounded, and four, one of whom had a severely broken arm, were taken to theatre after suffering traumatic amputations. Others were treated and later discharged. In total, four patients had amputations and two had debridement in theatre. One patient sustained a severe head injury and is admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. Several others had lacerations sutured and were discharged home.
Officer Commanding Gweru District, Chief Superintendent Leon Marongedza, confirmed that the bus had two drivers on board, both of whom survived the crash. Investigations are currently underway to determine the precise cause of the accident. “The bus was in Gweru around 7AM, indicating that it was travelling overnight, which is strongly discouraged,” he said. “Drivers must avoid night driving wherever possible.”
The police have urged members of the public to be responsible when using social media and to respect the privacy of the victims and their families during this difficult time.
One survivor, who requested to remain anonymous, recounted the harrowing experience. She said the journey had been proceeding smoothly until the bus passed the Tree Top tollgate, about 20km from Gweru’s central business district. “After the tollgate, the engine appeared to seize. The drivers switched places, and we overheard one mentioning brake failure,” she said. “We weren’t sure what was going on with the bus.”
As the bus approached the Fairmile Hotel roundabout, it veered to the left and overturned, landing on its right side. “I was sitting at the front near the driver when it happened,” the survivor continued. “As we neared the roundabout, the driver said he was losing the brakes, and the bus suddenly gained speed. It then overturned. I managed to escape. Within five minutes, ambulances had arrived and started ferrying the injured to hospital.”
Another witness at the scene suggested that the heavy luggage load at the back of the bus may have contributed to the severity of the accident. “People were injured or killed when luggage fell on them,” the witness said. “We had packed our belongings on the back seats, and to show how overloaded the bus was, a 30-tonne UD truck had to make two trips to ferry the luggage to Gweru Central Police Station for safekeeping. I believe if there hadn’t been so much luggage, we might not have had fatalities or such serious injuries.”
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