14 die, 15 injured in the Solwezi accident
By Staff Reporter
Fourteen people on Wednesday died while fifteen others sustained serious injuries in a fatal road traffic accident involving a Scorpion Zhong Tong bus.
In a statement this morning, police public relation officer Esther Katongo said the accident happened around 19:17 hours at Emmanuel area along Solwezi-Chingola road, about 60 kilometers east of Solwezi Boma.
Katongo identified the deceased as Noble Nsofu, Mtonga Sllister, Saviour Chungu Mulenga, Maron Chabala Kapambwe, Temwani Chifunda, Victor Khakeni, Boniface Chisala plus four unidentified male adult persons and three unidentified females.
She said those that sustained serious injuries included three female adults and 12 Male adults. .
Katongo said the accident occurred when the west bound bus registration number BCA 8977driven by 32-year Eddie Katoyo of Kambazhi area in Kalumbila District hit into a stationary freightliner articulated truck which had a breakdown on the road.
“Katoyo is believed to have driven the bus at an excessive speed and after overtaking several vehicles lost control and hit into the rear part of the broken-down freightliner truck and trailer. Those that sustained serious injuries are admitted to Solwezi General Hospital while the bodies of the deceased are deposited at the same Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” explained Katongo.
She said the driver of the bus is yet to be charged with fourteen counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Meanwhile Office of the Vice President, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has convey it’s heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the traditional leadership, Provincial Administration and the people of North-Western province on the loss of lives resulting from the tragic accident that occurred yesterday in North Western province.
DMMU communications officer Racheal Mupanga said the accident which took place along the Solwezi – Chingola road involving a Zhong Tong bus and a stationary truck, left 14 people dead and 15 others nursing serious injuries.
“The Vice President Mrs. Inonge Wina, has to this effect directed the DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe to ensure all funeral supplies and logistics are put in place to lessen the burden on the bereaved families,” Mupanga
She said DMMU is urging motorists to take caution and adhere to safety standards to prevent loss of lives through road traffic accidents.
