A devastating road accident on the Mchinji-Lilongwe M12 road at Chikhutu Village has resulted in the loss of at least five lives and left two others with severe injuries.
The heart-wrenching incident involved two motor vehicles and a pedal-cyclist, sending shockwaves through the community.
Constable Limbani Mpinganjira, the Mchinji Police Public Relations Officer, responded to the tragic event, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this terrible accident. We are deeply saddened by the loss, and our thoughts are with the injured as they undergo treatment. The police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy.”
The fatal collision occurred in the evening, turning an ordinary day into a tragedy. The Volvo Truck, with registration number AJD1839/ABR7837, was driven by Peter Banda, 42, hailing from Mchenga Village, Traditional Authority Mpezeni, Chipata District in Zambia. He was heading towards Lilongwe when the unforeseen accident unfolded.
Upon arriving at Chikhutu Village, Peter Banda lost control of the Volvo Truck and collided with a pedal-cyclist named Taulino Mateyu, 25, from Sintiyoni Village, Traditional Authority Zulu in Mchinji. The impact of the collision sent shockwaves through the community, leaving devastation in its wake.
In a harrowing turn of events, the Volvo Truck swerved into the offside lane and crashed head-on with a Fuso Fighter 4 Tonner motor vehicle, registered as MC 5392, carrying three passengers. The collision was catastrophic, leading to severe head injuries and multiple fractures for the driver and passengers of the Fuso Fighter.
Tragically, upon reaching the Mchinji District Hospital, all three passengers of the Fuso Fighter, as well as the driver, were confirmed to have lost their lives, leaving behind grieving families and a heartbroken community.
In contrast, the driver of the Volvo Truck, Peter Banda, miraculously escaped the accident unhurt. However, an unidentified male passenger who was also on board the Volvo Truck was not as fortunate and succumbed to head injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
As the community grapples with the enormity of the tragedy, their thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The Mchinji District Hospital is tirelessly providing medical care to those injured in the accident. The pedal-cyclist, Taulino Mateyu, who sustained a fracture on his right upper arm, is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The accident left a trail of destruction, with both motor vehicles extensively damaged, and the bicycle ridden by the unfortunate cyclist also sustained damage to its rear part.
Constable Limbani Mpinganjira emphasized, “This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving. We urge all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent further such heartbreaking incidents.”
The deceased have been identified as Mr. Nelson Mwale, aged 40, from Kawere Village, Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mchinji; Yesaya Ezara, 17, from Timoti Village, Traditional Authority M’duwa; and Alex Bisalomu, 47, from Mtsapira Village, Traditional Authority M’duwa. Additionally, two male adults remain unidentified at this time.
In response to the incident, Constable Limbani Mpinganjira expressed deep condolences to the families affected by the accident.
The police are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the tragedy to bring clarity and closure to the bereaved families.
