7 die in Petauke road accident
Written by Christopher Miti in Chipata
Monday, December 08, 2008 5:35:38 AM
SIX people died on the spot last Saturday while six others sustained serious injuries when a minibus they were travelling in overturned following a tyre burst at Kabere area in Petauke.
Eastern Province minister Isaac Banda and police sources in Petauke confirmed the accident in a telephone interview. Banda who witnessed the accident said the victims were rushed to Petauke District Hospital.
“This minibus which was carrying some community school headteachers was cruising because it overtook us and few minutes we saw it rolling at a distance of about five hundred metres in front of us,” Banda said.
He said one person died upon arrival at Petauke District Hospital, bringing the number to seven.
“This accident happened around 12:20 hours, and immediately it happened, police from Petauke arrived and we took the victims to the hospital but all those who died on the spot were men,” Banda said.
He said the Petauke-bound minibus was coming from Chipata.
Banda advised drivers to limit their speed when driving to avoid loss of life.
“The owners of the vehicles should ensure that their vehicles are fit to be on the road and traffic officers should make sure that these vehicles are road worthy,” he said.
Banda said it was saddening that the Great East Road had recorded many accidents within a short period.
“Just two weeks ago, there were two accidents in Nyimba and people in the district demonstrated but I would like to thank the contractor that had put some humps at Nyimba Boma to avoid further accidents. So we also want Raubex contractors to put some humps at Katete Boma,” he said.
Recently, Nyimba MMD member of parliament Forrie Tembo appealed to Road Development Agency to construct some speed humps at Nyimba Boma and road signs on the stretch between Nyimba and Luangwa Bridge.
And Police sources in Petauke said the condition of those who were hospitalised was still critical by yesterday.
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