Witnesses watched helplessly as train driver hoote...

Witnesses watched helplessly as train driver hooted and shouted for struck teen to get off the tracks

Michael Mashiri

Witnesses say it was like living in a horror movie as they watched the train driver hoot and shout at a teenager to get off the tracks before disaster struck.

“The train driver hooted from a distance of 100 metres. And even shouted at the boy. But because he had his headphones on, he did not hear anything and just kept on walking on the tracks until the train smashed him,” said a young man who witnessed the incident that happened in Ruwa at the 253km peg, along the Harare-Mutare railway line.

“Desman (the deceased) was hit around 0800 a.m. He was going to church and had church garments in his bag. He lives at Plot number 40 here in Ruwa," said another witness who said the incident was traumatising to watch as there was nothing anyone could do to stop tragedy striking.

The witnesses said they were unhappy by the delay in arrival of the police who only attended the scene four hours later.

“We were surprised because the police only arrived at the scene at noon even though their post is not far from where the accident happened.”

The ZRP on their Twitter handle cautioned and discouraged people from putting on headphones and earphones when walking on roads or crossing the railway lines.

“The public is warned against putting on headphones or earphones while walking on the roads or crossing railway lines as this may diminish the ability to perceive or hear, thereby increasing the likelihood of being struck by a motor vehicle or train,” the ZRP said.