One dead,12 injured in Rubavu-Musanze highway accident

ONE PERSON died yesterday while 12 others sustained injuries when taxi they were traveling in got involved in a head-on collision with a truck from the opposite direction on the Rubavu-Musanze highway.The injured were rushed to Gisenyi Hospital, where they were admitted under intensive care.The accident happened at around 2pm at a junction in Rugerero cell at a spot better known as Gishira corner.It occurred after the breaking system of the truck with Ugandan registration number UAT 757 K, failed and hit the Toyota Hiace Minibus, registration number RAC 592E, forcing it to overturn several times.Both vehicles were seriously damaged.The deceased was identified as Augustin Gatera, 71.Speaking to The New Times, the Western Region Police Spokesperson Supt Hamza Vita attributed the accident to failure of the truck’s braking system which was driving from Rubavu to Musanze.He said six of the victims sustained serious injuries while the rest were minor.“The truck’s brakes failed and it hit the taxi before it ( truck) hit another lorry which was parked on the road side,” he said.Eyewitness at the scene of the accident described it as serious and ‘that it could have killed more people’.“Passengers were screaming when police and residents rushed for rescue,” said an eye witness.By press time residents and police were still at the scene.Dr.William Kanyankore the director of Gisenyi Hospital said with minor injuries would be discharged soon.“Those that got serious injuries are under intensive care but the rest would be discharged soon,” said Kanyankore.

National

One dead,12 injured in Rubavu-Musanze highway accident