Kasama/Mbala accident toll rises to five

Kasama/Mbala accident toll rises to five

Mbala, January 19, 2015, ZANIS–The death toll from yesterday’s road traffic accident which happened along the Kasama – Mbala road near Senga Hill has risen to five.

Mbala District Commissioner, Best Kabulembe confirmed the accident to ZANIS today.

Mr. Kabulembe said the accident happened between 17: 00 hours and 18: 00 hours yesterday involving a Mpulungu bound Maatah mini – bus which was being driven by Boyd Sikasote, 29, who was carrying 39 passengers on board.

He said three passengers died on the spot while two people died in Mbala General Hospital later.

Mr. Kabulembe also said among the 36 passengers who sustained injuries was a Peace Corp Volunteer identified as Kristald Bala based at Kamuzwazi who has since been evacuated to Lusaka for specialized treatment.

And a check by ZANIS at Mbala General Hospital last night found hospital staff busy attending to the accident victims.

And the two eye witnesses who were among the passengers attributed the accident to overloading coupled with over speeding.

Gloria Kankato, a teacher at Niamukolo Primary school and Brian Simuyemba, also a teacher from Mungwi who has been deployed as Polling Assistant in Mpulungu said the driver hit into a pothole and lost control due to excessive speeding.