• HEALTH Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya visits one of the accident victims evacuated to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by KAIKO NAMUSA
By CHILA NAMAIKO and FLAVIOR CHISHALA –
TWELVE people have died while 24 others in critical condition have been admitted to Mazabuka District Hospital after a road traffic accident involving a Marcopolo bus and a South African truck.
The accident occurred around 02:40 hours yesterday in Kaleya Township, about 15 kilometres south of the district on the Mazabuka-Lusaka Road.
The bus, which was carrying an unknown number of passengers, was coming from Namwala District to Lusaka when it collided with the Freight Liner truck.
Southern Province police commissioner Mary Chikwanda, provincial medical officer Jelita Chimyonga and Mazabuka District Commissioner Eugene Munyama, who rushed to the scene, confirmed the accident.
Ms Chikwanda said eight males and three females died on the spot while a male who was among some victims evacuated to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka died on the way.
She identified the bus driver as Noble Hamukale, 35, while the driver of the truck, registration number WXV 588 GP, was Wedson Chauluka.
They both died on the spot after the head-on collision.
Ms Chikwanda said the accident happened when Mr Chauluka swerved to the lane where the bus, belonging to a Namwala business executive, was as he tried to avoid hitting into a cyclist.
“The accident happened after the truck driver attempted to avoid a cyclist and in the process went into the lane of the bus and they collided,” she said.
Ms Chikwanda said 24 casualties, among them a six-month-old baby, were admitted to Mazabuka District Hospital.
Dr Chimyonga said those who were in critical condition were rushed to UTH for further treatment.
Mr Munyama praised the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit and the police for their quick response to the fatal accident.
Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya yesterday visited the victims at UTH.
Dr Chilufya, who expressed sadness over the accident, said 16 victims were responding well to treatment.
Namwala Member of Parliament Moono Lubezhi also visited the accident victims at UTH.
