The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
A STONE drunk Nyazura man who slept under a stationary goods train is counting himself very lucky after he survived what would have been a devastating crush when the train was started and ripped off his palm last Tuesday night.
When the train started to move, Itai Laheke (31) of St Stephen Compound, Nyazura held on to the rails while under the train for about 68 meters. He lost grip and fell down. His palm was ripped off the train which did not stop.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean, confirmed the accident and said Laheke proceeded to his homestead where he told his young brother that he suspected that he had been injured by the train. To the shock of his life, he was informed by his brother that his palm was missing.
“On November 2, Itai Laheke spent the whole day on a drinking spree with his girlfriend at Beyond Boundaries Bar. They later left for Gift Enterprises. He insisted on having more beer, but he was ordered to leave. A misunderstanding arose between him and his girlfriend. They left the bar.
“Itai went to a railway line about 20 meters away from the bar and slept under a goods train which had stopped for resupply. The locomotive controller did not notice that there was a person sleeping under the train and started it.
“Itai held on to the rails while under the moving train for about 68 meters. He eventually lost grip. He fell onto the railway line and had his left palm was ripped off and the train which did not stop.
“Itai later left the railway line and proceeded to his homestead which is about 1km from the station and told his young brother that he suspected that he was injured by a train. The young brother told him that his palm was missing.
“They later proceeded to the railway line and discovered Itai’s cellphone, pair of tennis shoes and the ripped off palm. A police report was made. As police, we urge people to be responsible after consuming alcohol and also avoid resting along the railway line as it is dangerous to do so,” said Asst Insp Clean.
