A tragic incident unfolded early Monday morning at Odzi Siding near Mutare, where a man was fatally run over by a train, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has confirmed. The incident has sparked an investigation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) amid questions over whether the victim was already deceased before the collision occurred.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, the NRZ said the train crew spotted the man lying motionless on the railway tracks as their train approached the Odzi Siding area. Despite sounding the train’s horn multiple times to alert him, the man did not react. The crew later told authorities they believed the man may have been dead prior to being struck by the train.
“A man was run over by a train early this morning at Odzi Siding near Mutare. The man was lying lifeless on the tracks and did not respond to the approaching train’s sounding horn. The train crew suspect the man was already dead by the time he was run over,” the NRZ said in its official statement.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s presence on the tracks remain unclear, and questions have been raised about the possibility of foul play, suicide, or a tragic accident. Authorities were quick to respond to the scene, with officers from the ZRP taking charge of the situation and launching a full investigation.
Adding to the mystery, the deceased was not in possession of any form of identification. As a result, police have not yet been able to confirm his identity, and appeals may soon be made to the public for assistance in identifying the victim.
Man Fatally Struck by Train Near Mutare: Police Investigating Mysterious Death
“The man had no identity documents on him, making it difficult to notify any next of kin or determine the background of the case. We have opened an investigation and are treating the case as a suspected unnatural death until further evidence is available,” said a police spokesperson in Mutare.
As of Monday afternoon, the body was transferred to a local mortuary where a post-mortem examination will be conducted. Police believe the post-mortem may provide critical information regarding the time and cause of death, which could help determine whether the man was already deceased before being hit by the train.
The NRZ expressed regret over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family, while also issuing a renewed warning to members of the public to exercise extreme caution near railway infrastructure.
“We urge all citizens to stay clear of railway tracks, which are dangerous zones, especially in low-visibility conditions such as early mornings or nights. Trains take time to stop, and any delay in responding to an oncoming train can result in fatal consequences,” the NRZ said.
The railway authority also appealed to communities living near rail lines to report any suspicious activities or persons observed near tracks to law enforcement or railway officials.
Railway safety remains a significant concern in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where people often cross tracks on foot or use them as walking paths. While train operators do their best to sound horns and keep vigilance, accidents continue to occur — many of which are preventable.
Community leaders in Odzi have expressed concern over the incident and called for increased public education on rail safety. “People should never use railway lines as walkways or resting places, even for a short time. Trains cannot swerve or stop quickly, so the margin for error is virtually nonexistent,” said one local headman.
Meanwhile, investigators are piecing together the final moments of the unidentified man’s life in hopes of uncovering what led to his presence on the tracks that morning. Police are expected to release further details once the post-mortem is completed and any leads are verified.
Anyone with information about the deceased or who may have witnessed anything unusual near Odzi Siding on Monday morning is urged to contact the nearest police station.
As the community comes to terms with the unsettling nature of the incident, the NRZ and ZRP continue to work together to ensure the public’s safety along Zimbabwe’s railway network — and to bring closure to a case that, so far, is marked by more questions than answers.
