Three people have died and 18 others were injured in a road accident involving a passenger bus and two haulage trucks on the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway.
Police say the crash happened on Wednesday evening when the Stallion Cruise bus attempted to overtake another truck and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
“One male passenger was thrown from the bus into the truck’s front passenger seat and died on the spot. A female passenger travelling in the haulage truck also died due to the impact,” said Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
She said the bus, which was travelling from Binga to Bulawayo, first sideswiped a truck it was overtaking before veering into the path of an approaching haulage vehicle.
The 18 injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. Details of their conditions have not yet been released.
The Stallion Cruise bus sustained extensive front-end damage, including a shattered windscreen and a deformed bonnet. The oncoming truck was similarly damaged, according to police.
Inspector Msebele said the accident appeared to have been caused by speeding, misjudgment and driver error. The bus driver is facing charges of culpable homicide.
“Police are urging all motorists to exercise caution, avoid speeding, and adhere to road traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life,” she said.