. Kasosa
By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
SEVEN people have died while 21 others are admitted to hospital with serious injuries following a road traffic accident.
The accident happened yesterday morning involving a Mercedes Benz car and a Toyota Hiace Minibus which collided head-on on the Sabina-Mufulira Road on the Copperbelt.
Five of the deceased were in the Mercedes Benz registration number ACP 2423 while the two others were juveniles who were among 23 passengers on board the minibus.
The accident happened when the Mercedes Benz, while in the process of overtaking, collided with an on-coming Hiace minibus registration number AFB 1995.
Eye witnesses told the Times that some bodies of the accident victims in the car were severely mutilated.
Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Joyce Kasosa confirmed the tragedy in an interview yesterday which happened at Kafilonda area.
Ms Kasosa said the driver of the Mercedes Benz Erick Mukala, died on the spot together with four other passengers on board.
She said the other two casualties were juveniles on board the minibus, a male and female who also died on the spot.
Ms Kasosa said the Mercedes Benz was coming from the west heading towards Mufulira and attempted to overtake, in the process colliding with the minibus which was coming from the opposite direction.
“All the five passengers in the Benz died on the spot and their bodies are at Ronald Rose Hospital mortuary in Mufulira. Out of the 23 passengers in the minibus, two children, a male and
female died on the spot and their bodies are in Malcom Watson Hospital mortuary,” Ms Kasosa said.
She said five passengers from the minibus were rushed to Kamuchanga Hospital where they were all admitted.
Six others were admitted at Ronald Rose Hospital while the remaining six were at Malcom Watson Hospital with serious injuries.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged and it took frantic efforts by the fire brigade officers to retrieve trapped bodies from the mangled Mercedes Benz.
Ms Kasosa expressed regret over the loss of lives and that there was need for drivers to drive with utmost care to avoid endangering the lives of other road users.
