Two people were killed after being hit by a delivery truck in Bulawayo yesterday.
The touts were killed at the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and First Avenue when the truck driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle due to poor visibility.
The two were returning from a funeral ceremony and walking along the road when the truck veered off its track and crushed them under its heavy weight.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the scene was horrific as the helpless men were pinned under the car.
Bulawayo Fire Brigade and Emergency Services immediately responded to the scene after receiving a distress call, arriving within five minutes.
A skilled team of firefighters worked quickly and tirelessly to recover the bodies of the two men, and they were then handed over to the police for identification.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, explained the sequence of events that led to the incident and what they did to recover the trapped bodies.
“A 7-ton truck lost control and crashed into a precast wall before hitting the two victims and trapping them under the vehicle. He added that the truck then collided with a two-room house.
“We received a call at 3.43pm and were at the scene five minutes later. Two fire engines and an ambulance were dispatched for the rescue operation.
The truck driver survived the accident and suffered only minor injuries. Police have not yet revealed the identities of the deceased men.
An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Justin, and a close colleague of the deceased, expressed his deep shock at the tragic and horrific death of his colleagues.
“I’m still in disbelief. We all work this way as promoters, and earlier in the day, we shared our daily earnings. They left for the funeral service, and moments later this tragedy happened. I can’t believe they’re gone,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Mspile, confirmed the incident and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Police can confirm that such an incident occurred. While we do not have a full report yet, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased during this difficult time,” she said. Chronicle
