A commuter omnibus conductor, Oshia Njenge, who luckily
escaped a horrific crash near Mutorashanga turn-off, is still struggling to
come to terms with the painful end of his eight passengers and driver after
their vehicle burst into flames at the 31km peg along the Mazowe-Centenary Road
on Friday.
The ill-fated commuter omnibus side-swiped with a lorry at
7pm. The vehicle was carrying eight passengers plus the driver and conductor.
Njenge, who was the only survivor, was seated at the back
seat when the accident happened. He had to jump through the shattered back
screen of the vehicle.
As he was trying to rescue trapped passengers, the kombi
burst into flames and he could only watch from a distance.
“I was sitting at the back seat of the kombi when I heard a
deafening bang. The back screen was shattered and I escaped through it. I tried
to rescue other passengers, but there was an explosion which made it impossible
to assist them,” said Njege.
“Some of the passengers, including the driver, managed to
find their way out of the kombi, but they were engulfed by the flames.
“It was a sorry site watching them being burnt to death.
They were screaming for help, but nothing could be done to assist them,” said
Njenge.
Both Civil Protection Unit chair Mr Cosmas Chiringa and
Mashonaland Central provincial police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe
confirmed the accident.
“The accident happened near Mutorashanga turn-off around
7pm on Friday night. The kombi, which had nine passengers including the driver,
side-swiped with a lorry and eight people were burnt to death. One of them was
burnt beyond recognition. The conductor of the kombi was the only survivor,”
said Mr Chiringa.
The kombi is said to have been carrying four rolls of
fibreglass and some flammable substances suspected to be petrol or resin, which
burst into flames as a result of the impact.
Insp Mundembe said the remains of the eight passengers were
taken to Concession District Hospital mortuary.
Seven bodies were positively identified yesterday. One body could not be identified as it was burnt beyond
recognition.
He said two of the three people who were in the lorry
escaped with minor injuries and were treated at Concession District Hospital.
For Zephania Muringazuva, who witnessed the accident, it
was the screaming that still haunts him the most.
The lorry, he claimed, was driving in front of the kombi
and suddenly turned right without indicating.
“The kombi then side-swiped with the lorry. It was carrying
flammable substances which caused the explosion upon impact of the two
vehicles. We are not sure what the substances were because some are saying they
were filled tanks of gas while some said it was petrol.
“The fire was just uncontrollable and we watched in shock
as people were being burnt to death. We are still being haunted by their
screaming,” he said.
Insp Mundembe appealed to those missing their relatives to
visit Concession District Hospital to help identify the remaining body.
He urged motorists to observe road regulations to avoid
unnecessary loss of lives.
“We also want to urge motorists to ensure there is adequate
breaking distance between their vehicles. Passenger transporters should avoid
night journeys.
“We also want to urge motorists not to carry flammable
substances in public vehicles,” said Insp Mundembe. Sunday Mail
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