Twenty four people are admitted to Lundazi District Hospital after the truck they were traveling in overturned some 30 kilometers north of Lundazi. The accident happened around 19:00 hours on the Lundazi-Chama road yesterday.
Eastern Province Commanding Officer Mary Chikwanda confirmed the accident to ZANIS in Lundazi this morning.
She said the driver of the truck registration number ABA 8319, Andrew Nkhoma 40, was carrying approximately 19 tonnes of tobacco for Alliance One, with 24 passengers sitting on top of the merchandise.
She said there were a total of 27 passengers when the accident happened. Of these, 16 men and one woman are admitted to the hospital. One man is in a critical condition.
Ms. Chikwanda said the accident occurred when the driver of the truck failed to negotiate a curve, which caused the truck to overturn.
She further said the truck was overloaded and that the driver has since been charged with careless driving.
Lundazi District Commissioner Masauso Banda told ZANIS that he was saddened by the accident.
Mr. Banda wondered why tobacco companies have to endanger the lives of people by allowing them to sit on top of the load.
He said this when he went to Lundazi General Hospital to check on the accident victims.
When contacted for a comment, owner of the truck Kalidi Dalala denied being the owner and when pressed further, said he was busy attending to other matters.
Two days ago, a Mitsubishi Pajero overturned on the Lundazi-Chipata road injuring three people in the process.
ZANIS
Shame mweee! …………………………………….
Most lorry drivers are insane and wreckless and do not seem to care about the carnage they cause on public roads. What can be done?
How sad. My best wishes to the injured
Yaba so limbi ba driver balinwine! Anyway,accidents can happen any time.I wish them a quick recovery.
I can only wish them a speedy recovery.
Was this very trucj road worth ? or maybe the driver was drunk. A quick recovery to all the injured and a quick and fair judgement on this driver.
Was meant to say truck and not trucj as in 6
No such thing az the driver being drunk, or the road-un/worthness of the truck. The law iz very clear on when and how trucks should carry people.
Alisenda utululu driver for him to make a bit of money.
It is time for the Chama Lundazi route to be taken very seriously. The transport system as well as the route itself needs govt.’s intervetion as it is a great hazard to human life. Can the Eastern Province minister act now cause it has been too much of accidents on this route especially this time of the year alot more people die simply because of neglegence. How do you expect no accidents when deputure time is always in the night?
This is very true, concur with No. 10, even in Mfuwe (Mambwe District)departure is between 20 hrs and 21 00rs to Chipata arrivng 03.00. Prone to be victimised or anything can happen, which govt can stop this kansi? concerned