A high-speed decision to overtake a stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights ended in tragedy on Wednesday night, when a Toyota Isis collided with a sub-adult female elephant along the Kazungula Road, about 40 kilometres from Victoria Falls.
Witnesses say the driver ignored the warnings from the vehicle ahead, which had stopped to avoid hitting the elephant.
Attempting to overtake at speed, the driver slammed directly into the animal, causing a horrific crash.
The impact launched the elephant onto the car’s roof, crushing the front section and pushing the vehicle nearly 100 metres into the bush.
The front-seat passenger died on the scene, while five others were trapped in the mangled wreckage.
Emergency services acted swiftly, rescuing the injured and transporting them to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their injuries range from moderate to critical.
Due to the extent of the elephant’s injuries, Zimparks rangers were forced to euthanise the animal on-site to safely extract the deceased from the wreck.
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This marks the second fatal collision involving an elephant on the same stretch of road in just a few days.
As previously reported by SA Trucker, a truck driver also lost his life after crashing into an elephant in the same area.
In that incident, the truck veered off the road and struck several large trees.
Shockingly, before authorities arrived at the scene, the elephant’s tusk had been hacked off and stolen – highlighting a sinister opportunistic crime amid the tragedy.
These back-to-back incidents underscore the deadly consequences of ignoring road hazards, especially in known wildlife zones.
They also shine a harsh light on the growing human-wildlife conflict, as roadways increasingly cut through animal habitats.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families affected. These tragedies must serve as a wake-up call: motorists need to respect hazard signals and remain vigilant. In wildlife territory, one reckless move can turn fatal – for both people and animals.
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