WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — Three people died on Wednesday, while 14 others sustained serious injuries when a vehicle they were travelling in overturned on Gisenyi highway at Mahoko.

The accident happened when a minibus registration number RRA 312A reportedly failed to break at high speed. The deceased whose names were not easily established included a mother of a two- year old baby. The mother died on the spot while the child sustained minor injuries.

Police restricted access to the bodies before taking them to the mortuary at Gisenyi Hospital. Those who sustained serious injuries were rushed to Gisenyi Hospital. There was a somber mood as residents and police rescued survivors from the wreckage. The police attributed the accident to failure of the breaking system.

"The survival of the 14 passengers from the accident was just by God’s mercy because the accident was terrible," said police.

According to the driver only identified as Hassan, the vehicle was heading to Gesenyi from Musanze. He explained that he failed to break at a steep slope.

"I tried to keep on the main road but the vehicle became too speedy. The nature of the road with very sharp corners made it impossible for me to have control over the vehicle. It veered and overturned," he explained.

Eye witnesses who talked to The New Times also blamed steep slopes and sharp corners for the accident. However, Claude Hategikimana, an area resident who was among the rescue team said the area is a black spot.

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