1 killed in Karoi Junior School bus accident

Zim Now Writer

One person died while several others were injured, some of them seriously, when a Karoi Junior School bus with 62 learners and seven teachers on board was involved in an accident near Eden Lodge in the Vumba area, Mutare yesterday evening.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the accident, which occurred on the 16km peg along the Mutare-Vumba Road.

He said 20 passengers, including the driver, were seriously injured and one of the teachers who was admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

The learners and teachers were on a school trip to Vumba.

“A Zhongtong bus with Karoi Junior School learners and teachers on board was involved in an accident at the 16km peg along the Mutare-Vumba Road on Tuesday evening.

“The driver, Christopher Garawafa, 52, failed to negotiate a curve, before the bus veered off the road and rammed on the eastern face of a mountain escarpment and stopped.

“The bus was carrying 69 passengers, comprising 62 learners and seven teachers. 21 people, among them the driver, were seriously injured and ferried to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. The remainder sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged at the same hospital,” said Inspector Muzondo.

Inspector Muzondo urged motorists to exercise caution at all times, especially when driving at night.

Last year, a bus carrying learners and teachers from Tynwald High School was involved in an accident after the driver failed to negotiate a curve at Pine Tree Hotel near Juliasdale along the Rusape-Nyanga road, killing six learners on the spot while a teacher died later in hospital.