Two people have died on the spot while several others, including children, sustained serious injuries when a light Canter truck they were in careered off the road after a tyre burst and overturned at Mbulu stream in Mbala.
The dead, a woman and a man, were confirmed dead in Mbala General Hospital upon arrival where several others have also been admitted.
Both police and hospital authorities in the district have confirmed the accident adding that Clemus Sikombe, the PF constituency chairman for Senga Hill constituency, was also one of the survivors of the fatal accident.
A team of journalist that rushed to the scene of the accident found the mangled truck, registration number ABR 5992 lying on the roadside.
The driver of the truck, who has been identified as Peter Simukoko, is on the run and police have since launched a manhunt for him.
And speaking from his hospital bed, Lazarus Simusenga, 25, said the vehicle which was coming from Nsokolo area to Mbala, was carrying over 20 passengers.
Mr Simusenga said apart from carrying people, the truck was also loaded with bags of maize and other goods.
He said some of the victims of the accident included four pupils from Mbala High School, who were getting back to school for the first term.
And a visit at Mbala General Hospital found several victims lying in pain in the male and female surgical wards, as well as the X-ray section.
ZANIS
may the souls of the 2 rest in peace.
Banamutekenwe stop overloading human beings like cattle’s. And you villagers don’t accept to be overloaded like dogs. MTSRIP for the two.
It is sad that we have lost souls in this tragic accident. My word of caution to my tribesmen; please ensure that you educate your drivers about road safety. Some of these drivers drive like mad men, forgetting the capacity of the vehicle to hold on to the ground. It will also be good to encourage some of these illiterate men to go back to school and get some education. I am not happy to hear some pupils and little children suffered just because some stupid driver wanted to show that the borrowed canter could reach 250 km per hour!