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Four die in road accident

Four people, including a police officer, died on the spot while several others were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital when a 30-tonne truck carrying cement hit 10 other vehicles on the Magalasi-Chirimba Road in Blantyre.

A witness, Derrick Mojoo, told The Nation yesterday that the accident happened when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle.

He said: “The truck was coming from Blantyre. I saw the truck driver waving his hand from the window, but we did not hear what he was trying to communicate. Then the truck started swerving and we realised that something was wrong. In few seconds, I realised that the trailer had hit the right side of my vehicle. I thank God I am alive.

“After damaging my car, the truck went on to hit other nine small vehicles.”

Blantyre Police Station spokesperson Elizabeth Divala confirmed the incident.

“The driver of the truck identified as Stephano Mikeli, 30, of Kapesi Village, Traditional Authority [T/A]  Kachere in Dedza, who works at Almeda Transport in Lilongwe, hit other vehicles due to over speeding.

“Four people in three different vehicles died on the spot, including our fellow officer Smartson Mkandawire who was with his friends in a Toyota Carina registration NS2161,” she said. 

The accident happened barely 24 hours after another one at Rivirivi Bridge in Ntcheu on Saturday claimed 10 lives.

Meanwhile, a press statement released yesterday and signed by Minister of Information and Communications Technology Nicholas Dausi says government has learnt with shock about the accidents.

“The President and the First Lady join all Malawians in expressing their condolences to the bereaved families and also wishing those injured a quick recovery. Government undertakes to provide assistance towards the cost of funeral arrangements and hospital bills for those who are receiving medical attention in hospital following this accident,” reads part of the statement.

 

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