Five die in road accident
Five people died on the spot and two others were seriously injured yesterday morning when a car they were travelling in hit an electric pole near Salima Turn-Off in Ntcheu.
According to Ntcheu Police Station spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser registration MG 5559 belonging to Chitipa District Agricultural Office, was taking officials to Blantyre to attend the official opening of the National Agricultural Fair (NAF) by President Peter Mutharika.
Chigalu said the vehicle, which was being driven by Sekani Nguluwe Gama, 32, and had 11 passengers on board, was extensively damaged.
“Five died on the spot, two were seriously injured while three sustained minor injuries and were rushed to Balaka District Hospital. A baby escaped unhurt but her mother [who was driving the vehicle] was among the dead,” he said.
Chigalu said the vehicle failed to negotiate a corner and hit the electric pole.
The dead bodies are being kept at Balaka District Hospital mortuary.
Balaka district medical officer Reinard Chafewa confirmed the death of the five. n
