Chiredzi man crushed to pieces by goods train

Fungayi Moyana

The Easter holiday celebrations were doomed as recently a man from Chiredzi who sat on the railway tracks was crushed to pieces by a goods train.

Tongayi Madhuura who was 29 years of age from Village ID Ford Helani Section 4 Triangle failed to respond to the warning signs from the conductors of an approaching goods train and was crushed to death, Masvingo police reported.

Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said Thomas Mariacha and Emmanuel Shonhiwa both Engineman who work at The National Railways of Zimbabwe were travelling along Mbizi Chiredzi Railway line towing ten trailers of coal.

On the 44 kilometer peg they saw Madhuura sitting on the railway line and quickly sounded the hooter to alert him of the approaching train, the Engineman desperately tried to pull the emergency brakes but it was of no help as the victim continued to sit idle on the railway line.

The goods train reached where Madhura was sitting, he was hit and fell flat on his belly getting crushed under the steel locomotive wheels and instantly died on the spot.

The train managed to stop at about 40 meters away from the scene of the accident.

It is a suspected case of suicide and police are investigating the incident.

The deceased body was taken to Chiredzi General Hospital.