One person has died while 14 others have been admitted to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital following a road traffic accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sino Howo tipper truck at Fubela area, about 35 Kilometers off Kapiri Mposhi Town.
Central Province Police Commanding Officer Lemekani Chirwa said the accident occurred yesterday at around 10:30 hours along the Kapiri Mposhi–Mkushi Road.
Mr Chirwa said the accident happened when the driver of a Toyota Hiace bus, registration number BBE 4508 ZM, allegedly failed to avoid a Sino Howo tipper truck, registration number AHC 840 ZM, which was turning left, and rammed into its rear due to excessive speed.
He identified the deceased bus driver as Graham Sachingangu of Kabwe, who sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot.
Mr Chirwa explained that preliminary investigations indicate that both vehicles were travelling in the same direction, from Kapiri Mposhi towards Mkushi, when the accident occurred.
The truck was being driven by 27-year-old Lawrence Mulenga of Ndeke area in Kapiri Mposhi, who escaped unhurt.
“He escaped unhurt, although the vehicle sustained damage to its fuel tank and dents on the left side of the trailer,” Mr Chirwa said.
He added that the Toyota Hiace bus was extensively damaged at the front.
Mr Chirwa said the 14 passengers aboard the bus sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment at Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital.
He identified some of the injured as Mary Mumba, 25, of Mulungushi area, who sustained waist and general body pains; Joyce Chungu, 53, of Ngungu area in Kabwe, who suffered a deep cut on the left leg and general body pains; and Salome Phiri, 47, of Kawama area in Kapiri Mposhi, who complained of waist and leg pains.
Others are Robert Nalishebo, 37, of Nkrumah Extension in Kabwe, who sustained a deep cut to the head, chest pains and an injury to the left leg; Josephine Chafwe, 32, of Chimanimani area in Kabwe, who sustained a painful right leg and general body pains; and Joyce Nalavwe, 57, of Ngungu area in Kabwe, who suffered a deep cut on the forehead and swollen arms.
“The body of the deceased has been deposited in the Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination,” Mr Chirwa said.
He added that investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
