Four people die in Mzuzu road accident
Four people, including a one-year-old child died last night in Chibavi, Mzuzu when an over-speeding motor car hit them along a township road, police have confirmed.
Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola said in an interview yesterday that the victims, yet to be named, were struck by a Ford pickup, registration NN 8420.
He said the pickup was coming from the direction of St Johns Hospitaller Services around 7pm headed to Chibavi.
Said Chapola: “Upon reaching Tukumphile Lodge, the driver, Pilirani Mhango, 29, failed to control the car and swerved to the right-hand side of the road where he hit seven pedestrians.
“The people were taken to Mzuzu Central Hospital but four of them, including a one-year-child, were confirmed dead upon arrival while the other three are still receiving treatment.”
Chapola said preliminary investigations show that the driver was speeding and he has since been arrested and charged with causing death by reckless driving, contrary to section 126 of the Traffic Act.
The accident comes barely a week after seven people died in a minibus accident in Chiweta, Rumphi.
In March this year, Malawi Police Service reported an increase in crimes and a reduction in road accidents compared to the same period in 2022.
In its annual report the police said 1 001people died in 4 977 road accidents last year, representing 6.2 percent decrease from 1 068 people who died in 2022.
Pedestrians were the most affected as 450 were killed followed by 254 passengers and 119 cyclists. On the other hand, 95 motorcyclists died last year along with 82 motor car drivers and an-oxcart rider.
