Tinotenda Hove- One person has died and two others have been seriously injured after a car rammed into a goods train at a railway crossing along the Harare-Mutare Highway early Saturday morning.

The accident occurred at around 4am at the railway crossing about five kilometres from Harare towards Marondera. The victims were travelling to Nyanga for a funeral when the Toyota Platz they were in allegedly suffered brake failure.

Police said the vehicle failed to stop at the crossing and collided with the train, blocking the busy highway for over four hours.

Wiseman Hamakoma, who was driving the car, said he was travelling with his younger brother and his wife when he saw the train approaching.

“We were coming from Harare, going to Nyanga to attend a funeral. While approaching Marondera railway crossing, I noticed that there was a goods train and I reduced speed and tried to stop, but my car lost its brakes,” he said.

He said his brother, who was seated in the front passenger seat, died on the spot, while his wife was seriously injured.

“We lost my younger brother, who died on the spot. He was sitting on the passenger side while his wife is seriously injured. I was injured on my leg and hand,” he added.

A security guard who witnessed the aftermath said police and an ambulance arrived shortly after the crash, with one person confirmed dead at the scene.

Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii confirmed the incident, saying the two injured victims and the body of the deceased were taken to Marondera Hospital.

He urged motorists to always stop and check before crossing railway lines.