Emotional Send Off for Tynwald Bus Accident Victims

By Shingirai Vambe

A dark cloud hangs over the nation after a Tynwald High School bus veered off the road killing five students on the spot and one upon admission at Nyanga District Hospital.

Reports claimed the bus driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve, veered of the road and overturned at the 75 kilometer peg along Rusape-Nyanga road Friday evening.

In attendance at the send off church service were parents and fellow students who could not come to terms with the untimely loss of their beloved ones.

It was a highly emotional affair as thousands came to bid farewell to Anesuishe Hove (14), Beyonce Guyo (15), Anita Manyuka (16), Destiny Dziva (14), Kimberly Tarisai Mutusva (15) and Craig Madanhire (14).

The 6 will be buried at Glen forest cemetery, in Harare.

The Eastern Highlanda of Manicaland are characterised by steepy slopes and meandering roads, most of them with sharp curves which require one to exercise extreme caution.

Hours before the tragic incident, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) spokesperson, Lucy Kuwandira told Post on Sunday Newspaper that they were rolling out a campaign for the safety of school children among other campaigns relating to the safety of drivers and the commuting public who might be involved in road traffic accidents (RTA).

TSCZ issued a statement on the fatal RTA urging drivers to exercise extra caution, adhere to traffic laws, and avoid speeding as well as drinking and driving when transporting school children.

“When embarking on a journey, it is advisable to have your vehicle serviced by reputable mechanics and be inspected before a long trip.

We implore school authorities and bus operators to always employ drivers who possess drivers’ licenses and defensive driving certificates,”read part of the statement.

TSCZ in liaison with the ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will step up awareness programs in schools in conjunction with school heads and other relevant authorities,” added kuwandira.

She said road safety is everyone’s responsibility; let us all safeguard the lives of our children.

On that same day, another bus was involved in an accident while traveling to Epworth, Harare. A passenger (refused to be named) who was on board told this publication that the driver of the bus was over speeding from Fourth Street bus terminus all the way to Epworth where he got into the lane of an oncoming traffic leading to a head-on.

Few people were injured and taken to Munyuki hospital while others jumped through the windows, fearing for their lives.

Meanwhile a Rusape, John Cowie student was hit while crossing Nyanga road coming from school yesterday afternoon, he was taken to Rusape General Hospital and reported to be in a critical condition.