Six die in road traffic accident after the bus they were traveling hit into a parked tipper truck, police say

SIX people have died , while 10 others are nursing serious injuries after a Higer bus they were traveling in hit into a stationary tipper truck.

The accident happened today at around 04:30 hours along the Great North Road at Kashikishi area about 10 kilometers south of Kapiri-Mposhi town.

The driver of the bus, Chris Hamuka who is believed to be unhurt is detained in Police custody and charged with Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.

Zambia police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale who confirmed the incident said the Higer bus has on board 49 passengers of which six died, while 10 are nursing injuries.

He said the bus traveling from Kasumbalesa to Lusaka.

“Three of the deceased persons have been identified as Rabecca Bwalya aged 34, Marley Essanga aged 24 and Lazarus Kanema while the other three are yet to be identified.Those who survived with injuries have been identified as Mikobi George aged 38, Nzema Benedict Kanianga aged 22, Stella Kikeaku aged 28 all of Congo DRC and John Kamfwa aged 26 of Kalingalinga compound in Lusaka. The four are admitted to Kabwe General Hospital while Richard Sakanala aged 32 of Kabompo, Happy Malama aged 48 of Chingola and one only identified Naomi together with three others yet to be identified are admitted to Kapiri-Mposhi District Hospital,” he said.

Mr Mwale said investigations indicate that the accident happened when the driver of the Higer bus registration number ALZ 3677, belonging to Abyken Bus Services of Chingola, driving from Kasumbalesa to Lusaka with 49 passengers on board, hit into a Scania Tipper Truck registration number BCB 2289 which was parked on the left side of the road.

“Due to the impact, six people, two females and four males, were pronounced dead upon arrival at Kapiri-Mposhi District Hospital leaving 10 with injuries.The tipper truck had its rear part damaged while the bus is extensively damaged. The bodies of the deceased are all in Kapiri-Mposhi District Hospital mortuary awaiting formal identification and postmortem,” he said.