Maravi

5 die in victory celebrations

5 die in victory celebrations
By Masuzyo Chakwe, Henry Sinyangwe and Misheck Wangwe
Tue 14 Feb. 2012, 13:01 CAT

OVER five people died during celebrations following Zambia's victory in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final. In North Western Province, two people died on the spot in separate incidents after being hit by vehicles during celebrations.

Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the first incident happened at midnight in Mufumbwe where a 19-year-old boy was hit by an unknown vehicle and died on the spot.

"In a related incident, a male nurse by the name of Maambo Haamalambo died on the spot after being hit by a motor vehicle at around 00:30 hours in Mwinilunga," Kanjela stated.

"The driver has since been arrested and charged for causing death by dangerous driving."

In Lusaka's Matero area, an unknown person died on the spot after being hit by a Toyota Hiace minibus.

The University Teaching Hospital recorded 35 casualty cases and received two dead bodies shortly after the match ended.

UTH public relations manager Pauline Mbangweta said of the 35 cases, 18 were victims of assault while 17 were victims of road traffic accidents.

Mbangweta said police brought in two bodies after the match.

She said the two males, one aged 18 from Marapodi and the other aged 15 from Kuku compound, died during the victory celebrations.

"One of the males admitted is critical with severe head injuries while the others are stable," said Mbangweta.

And two fatal accidents were recorded on the Copperbelt in the celebrations that engulfed the province before and after Chipolopolo beat Ivory Coast 8-7 on post-match penalties.

Copperbelt Police commissioner Mary Tembo said the first accident involved a juvenile aged five who was ran over by a Volvo Truck in Ndola's Chifubu township, five hours before kick off.

Tembo said the Volvo truck registration number ACM 1737 was being driven by Wilfred Busiku, 39 of house number 2909 Chifubu.

She said the deceased was a male juvenile, Landwell Tembo, of house number D 28 in Chifubu.

"The accident happened when the driver had parked the motor vehicle and the child went underneath the vehicle. At a time he wanted to go, he ran over the child. This was before the match around 16 hours and it happened opposite the UCZ Church in Chifubu," Tembo said.

She said the other accident was a hit-and-run incident involving a Kitwe teenager.

She identified the victim as Mary Mukangwa, 16, of St Anthony Compound in Kitwe who was hit around 01:45 hours in the victory celebrations on Kuomboka Drive.

Tembo said the driver and the motor vehicle had not been traced yet.

And an identified lady was hit by a vehicle in Mufulira's Mokambo border area.

"The lady was hit by an immigration officer who was celebrating Zambia's victory. The woman is out of danger and has been hospitalised in Mufulira," said Tembo.

Last Wednesday, over seven deaths were recorded in post-match celebrations following Zambia's dramatic 1-nil win over Ghana in the semifinal in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

Labels: FOOTBALL

posted by MrK @ 4:11 PM