FIVE family members on Friday died on the spot in a road traffic accident on their way to church.
The accident happened along the Harare/Masvingo highway.
Among the victims were children Elisha Jack, 6, Elija Tawananyasha Jack, 5, Ezra Jack, 1, and Leeroy Kido, 8, Lloyd Kido, 4, all of Overspill, in Epworth.
Fifteen people died on the spot and the other one died upon admission at Chitungwiza Hospital.
Twenty-eight people were injured and are all admitted at Chitungwiza Hospital while the bodies were taken to Chivhu Hospital for postmotem.
The 44 members of Angels Family Apostolic Church were on board a Mercedes Benz Sprinter and were coming from Epworth and heading to Makumumavi shrine in Chivhu.
In a statement, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said:
“Police investigations have established that the Mercedes Benz Sprinter collided head on with a truck.
“The accident occurred after an Adolph haulage truck, with no passengers on board, which was travelling towards Harare, hit a VW Polo vehicle from behind.
“The VW polo vehicle was travelling towards Harare, with no passengers on board.
“As a result, the haulage truck veered off the road to the oncoming lane and was involved in a head on collision with a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, which was travelling towards Chivhu, with 44 passengers on board.
“The injured victims are admitted at Chitungwiza Hospital, whilst the bodies of the victims were conveyed to Chivhu General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem,” said Ass-Comm Nyathi.
The remaining five victims are yet to be identified by their next of kin.
