Minibus and Macorpolo bus in head on collision on Kapiri-Ndola road, 9 people dead

Nine people including a six month old baby have died in a road traffic accident along the Kapiri Mposhi-Ndola highway.

The accident which occurred around 15:30 hours yesterday at Kashitu area about 30 km away from Kapiri Mposhi Boma involved a Toyota Hiace Minibus registration number ACM 2334 and an RK Motorways Macorpolo bus registration number ABG 7403.

The mishap happened when the two vehicles collided head-on when the driver of the Ndola bound Toyota Hiace with 16 passengers on board wanted to overtake another vehicle thereby colliding with an oncoming, Lusaka bound, Marcopolo bus.

A ZANIS news clue crew that rushed to the accident scene found police and council fire brigade officers removing the bodies from the minibus wreckage.

According to the driver of the Marcopolo bus, Wekson Sikazwe, who was found at the accident scene said accident occurred after the driver of the Hiace mini-bus wanted to overtake another minibus but ended-up ramming into the right hand side of his bus.

All the 72 passengers on the Marcopolo bus were unhurt while the Toyota Hiace driver is among the dead.

A survivor from the mini- bus who was found at Kapiri Mposhi General Hospital attributed the accident to over speeding on the part of the Toyota Hiace driver.

Kams Chimfwembe who has lost his daughter and brother in the accident and found at the hospital after being attended to, told ZANIS that the accident could have been avoided if the driver of the small bus, identified as Amos Chisanga, exercised patience when overtaking.

And Kapiri Mposhi District Medical Officer, Charles Mwinuna confirmed the death of the people who were brought in dead to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital.

Dr Mwinuna said among the dead was a six-month old baby, five females and three males while eight survivors who sustained fractures and head injuries have been referred to Kabwe General Hospital.

Dr Mwinuna said two females among the survivors who have been referred to Kabwe sustained traumatic amputations.

The Medical Officer also said three more survivors with extensive bruises and cuts have been admitted to Kapiri Mposhi district hospital.

Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe who also visited the scene of the accident has regretted the loss of lives due to non observance of traffic rules by motorists.

Ms Sikazwe advised motorists to be cautious on the road to avoid accidents and further loss of lives.

The bodies of the deceased are lying in Kapiri Mposhi district hospital Mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem.

Friday 11 January 2013

http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/01/11/minibus-and-macorpolo-bus-in-head-on-collision-on-kapiri-ndola-road-9-people-dead/