MUTARE- One person died while three others were injured when a freight train travelling to Mozambique, developed break failure and derailed near Nyazura 200km from Harare.
The incident occurred at a curve along a steep stretch close to Nyazura. Initially the three crew members were injured while the fourth victim remained trapped in the cargo rubble and later passed on.
Concerted efforts were made to rescue the trapped victim.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda confirmed the accident which happened yesterday around 4pm.
He said the chrome ore-laden goods train was heading for Beira, Mozambique from Mutorashanga.
“The driver of a goods train tried to apply brakes as he approached the curve on the steep stretch around Tsungwezi, but it failed, resulting in the accident. There were four crew members in the goods train and three were rescued and rushed to Rusape General Hospital, while the other one remained trapped in the rubble.
“Despite efforts made to rescue the victim he later passed on,” said Asst Insp Chananda.
Experts attending the scene said a locomotive with huge mass and velocity takes about a kilometre to stop after emergency brakes are applied.
