— Five people including a one (1) year old baby have died in a road traffic accident on the Solwezi-Chingola road.
The accident happened on Wednesday around 16:45 hours at Kabitaka area near the Solwezi weigh bridge.
North western province Deputy Police Commissioner, Michael Nkaka confirmed the development in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr Nkaka said the accident happened after the driver of the Mercedes Benz truck and trailer registration number ACK 3616 with trailer numbers ACK 5695T and ACK 5696T identified as Chisenga Chilufya Milward aged 31 of plot number 2294 Pamodzi area in Ndola hit into an oncoming un-registered Toyota Raum as he attempted to overtake a min bus.
He identified the driver of the Toyota Raum who died on the spot as David Bwalya aged 36 of Urban compound in Solwezi.
Mr Nkanka further identified the other four deceased persons as Doris Mwewa aged 31 and Marble Chanda aged 56 both of Magrade compound in Solwezi. Others are Angel Bwalya a 1 year old and Joyce Mwewa wife of the driver of the Toyota Raum both residents of Urban compound in Solwezi.
He said due to the impact of the accident, Bwalya and two others died on the spot while the other two died upon arrival at Solwezi General Hospital.
The Deputy Police Commissioner also said the Toyota Raum was extensively damaged while the truck only had a number plate detached.
Mr Nkaka said all the five deceased bodies are lying in Solwezi General Hospital awaiting postmortem and burial while the truck driver has been charged for causing death by dangerous driving and is in police custody.