One Dead, Two Injured as Car Hits Train Near Marondera

By Staff Reporter | Marondera

One person died and two others were injured early Saturday morning after a Toyota Platz collided with a goods train at a level crossing along the Harare-Mutare Highway near Marondera.

The crash occurred at about 4.15am at Tarisira, between Marondera and Macheke, according to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). The three occupants were reportedly travelling from Harare to Nyanga to attend a funeral when the vehicle collided with the train. NRZ confirmed the fatal crash and said the two injured occupants, a man and a woman, were taken to hospital for treatment.

“The accident happened at 0415 hours at a level crossing at Tarisira between Marondera and Macheke. The injured have been rushed to hospital,” NRZ said. The railway operator expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery. It also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching railway level crossings.

Driver blames brake failure

According to the driver, Wiseman Hamakoma, the crash happened after the vehicle allegedly lost its brakes as he approached the railway crossing. Hamakoma told ZBC News that he was travelling with his younger brother and his brother's wife when he saw the goods train. He said he reduced speed and attempted to stop but was unable to bring the vehicle to a halt after the brakes allegedly failed.

“We were coming from Harare, going to Nyanga to attend a funeral. While approaching Marondera railway crossing, I noticed there was a goods train, and I reduced speed and tried to stop, but my car lost its brakes,” he said. The collision killed Hamakoma's younger brother, who was reportedly seated in the front passenger seat. His brother's wife was seriously injured, while Hamakoma suffered injuries to his leg and hand.

The driver's account has not been independently established as the official cause of the crash, and investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision. A security guard working near the crossing told ZBC News that he heard the impact and rushed to the scene. He said police and an ambulance arrived shortly afterwards and found one person dead and the other two injured.

Highway blocked for hours

The collision also disrupted traffic along the busy Harare-Mutare Highway. The road was reportedly blocked for more than four hours while authorities dealt with the wreckage and the train. Some motorists were forced to use alternative routes, while others waited for the obstruction to be cleared.

The deceased was taken to Marondera Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted. The latest crash has once again raised concerns about safety at railway level crossings, where motorists are required to exercise extreme caution when approaching tracks. NRZ has previously worked with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe on initiatives aimed at reducing level-crossing accidents.

The railway operator has repeatedly warned motorists that trains require significantly more distance to stop than road vehicles and that drivers should never attempt to beat an approaching train. NRZ safety campaigns have also urged motorists to remain vigilant around railway tracks and level crossings. The Tarisira crash comes at a particularly difficult moment for the families involved, with the three travellers reportedly on their way to attend a funeral when tragedy struck.

Police are expected to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including the driver's account of brake failure and the events leading up to the collision. For now, NRZ has urged motorists using the Harare-Mutare route and other roads with railway crossings to exercise extreme caution and ensure they are able to stop safely before crossing the tracks.

Marondera train accident