26 die in four days holiday accidents
By Staff Reporter
Zambia Police Service recorded 23 fatal road accidents during the past long weekend, in which 26 people died.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Esther Katongo, Lusaka Province is said to have recorded the highest number of accidents at 114 with seven deaths, followed by Central Province that had 48 accidents and seven deaths as well.
“During the 2019 Heroes and Unity long weekend, 274 Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) were recorded out of which 23 were fatal in which 26 persons died, 26 were serious Road Traffic Accidents in which 53 persons were seriously injured, 67 were slight Road Traffic Accidents in which 81 persons were slightly injured,” Katongo said.
“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of Road Traffic Accidents with 114 with seven deaths, followed by Central Province which recorded 48 RTAs with seven deaths, Copperbelt recorded 23 RTAs with two deaths, North Western, 20 RTAs with one death, Eastern, 18 RTAs with one death, Southern, 16 RTAs with two deaths while Northern and Western Provinces recorded the least with 07 Road Traffic Accidents each.”
She stated that this year’s accidents were a slight reduction compared to the same period last year, say police.
“In comparison to 2018 Heroes and Unity period, 300 Road Traffic Accidents were recorded out of which 24 accidents were fatal in which 27 persons died, 41 were serious RoadTraffic accidents in which 113 persons were seriously injured compared to 53 persons seriously injured in 26 serious road traffic accidents recorded during the same period in 2019. The record shows a reduction in serious road traffic accidents and persons seriously injured by 15 and 60 respectively,” Katongo stated. “64 were slight Road Traffic Accidents in which 86 persons were slightly injured in 2018 compared to 67 slight Road Traffic Accidents where 81 persons were slightly injured in 2019.”
Katongo said that the reduction in road accidents is attributed to preventive measures put in place by the Zambia Police Service and other stakeholders such as Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).
“During the same period, K955, 401.00 was raised in Admission of Guilt fines. The crime situation was generally peaceful Countrywide due to intensified foot and motorised Police patrols, especially in identified crime hotspots,” she said.
And katongo has also disclosed that a female adult aged 50 years identified as Doreen Kaushi has died in a bush fire.
Katongo said that the accident happened July 1, 2019 at about 14:30 hours in Milenge District of Luapula Province.
“The deceased came from Kawambwa District to obtain a settlement farm in Milenge and is reported to have been in the Company of Officials from Ministry of Lands. Brief facts are that whilst in the bush they came across a huge bush fire hence got out of the motor vehicle and ran for safety,” she said.
“However, others got back into the motor vehicle but the deceased ran in a different direction for safety. She was later engulfed in the fire and was burnt and died instantly. The body was taken to Mansa General Hospital Mortuary. An Inquiry file has been opened.”
