3 dead, several injured in truck accident
Three businesspersons died while over 30 others sustained various degrees of injuries after a seven-tonner truck they were travelling in was involved in an accident in Blantyre yesterday.
The accident occurred at Kwacha Roundabout around 1.30pm and involved a Nissan Diesel registration NE 2305 belonging to Malick Investment of Chikwawa. It was being driven by 39-year-old Rashid Anthony Malick.
Southern Region Police deputy spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa said the vehicle was heading to East Bank in Chikwawa, carrying businesspeople who went to purchase assorted merchandise in Limbe for their shops.
The vehicle reportedly developed brake and gear malfunction upon reaching Kanjedza Total Filling Station on Kenyatta Drive and kept cruising up to the roundabout, about 500 meters away, where the cargo and passenger carrier detached itself from the cabin before falling into Naperi River.
Two women and a man, whose identities were yet to be established, according to police, died on the spot while many others sustained serious head and body injuries.
Assorted products were seen scattered all over the accident scene when The Nation visited the area.
One of the survivors, Evans Kanyoza, 40, said in an interview at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where the survivors were receiving treatment the problem was identified before they left Limbe.
“Just before we departed Limbe, the driver noted that the vehicle had developed brake failure, but it was rectified right there. However, after driving a few minutes we realised that the problem had resurfaced until the accident occurred,” explained Kanyoza, who added most of the victims in the vehicle were from Fatima, Masengere and Mitondo in Chikwawa East Bank area.
