14 people, including three children who were pedestrians, have been seriously injured following a head-on collision accident involving two buses.
The accident happened yesterday around 18.20 hours in Solwezi’s Mushitala area.
Northwestern province Commissioner of Police Eugene Sibote confirmed the accident to ZANIS in Solwezi today.
Mr Sibote said the accident involved a Mitsubishi bus registration number ACV 7630 and a Toyota Hiace passenger bus registration number ACV 3301 that collided on Kansanshi mine road.
He said the Mitsubishi bus, which eye witnesses believe was carrying mine workers coming from Kansanshi mine, lost control after overtaking another vehicle and hit into an oncoming Toyota Hiace.
Mr Sibote said one of the vehicles also struck three toddlers of ages one year six months, five and seven who suffered fractured limbs.
He said four women and three men, who were on the Mitsubishi bus and other four men from the Toyota Hiace minibus also suffered severe injuries.
The Police chief said all the casualties are admitted in Solwezi general hospital and that the unidentified driver of the Mitsubishi bus is currently on the run.
Meanwhile, Mushitala residents this morning ran amok stoning vehicles and blocked the road that goes to Kansanshi mine to protest over the accident.
Police in riot gear broke up the protest and arrested 30 protesters who have been charged for riotous behavior.
Mr Sibote warned that police will not condone lawlessness and will deal severely with those who want to engage in such acts.
There are so many dogs that are masquerading as drivers these days. My heart goes to all the innocent victims. I am not even sure if road carnages will ever decline especially with the calibre of RATSA officials of today. Someone was telling me that the driving examiners carry about six people in a five seater vehicle when taking would be drivers on test and I believe in one copperbelt town there is an examiner who himself does not know how to drive. Has this been heard of when real examiners were doing their job?
May those people who where injured get well soon.Am a concerned Zambian Citizen.Everytime you hear an accident the driver has run away from accident scene.What is going on in lour Country?It means we are still having problems with our examiners in RTSA.Anyone who has a driver’s licence should be a responsible person.When an accident happens you are suppose even to assist the injured if you are okay.I think there are not taught how important the driver’s licence is.It is a mandate by the Republic of Zambia through you as a driver’s to take full responsibility of whatever happens when you are on the road .When you have read the contents from the beginning.Why run away from the accident scene?
Whilst I sympathise with the injured, the behaviour of the people is totally appalling. Why stone cars and people that had nothing to do with accident? Probably all on innocent trips. There is a serious degradation of culture and respect for each other. The president needs to do something to change Zambians attitude