Fatal Bus accident claims one life on Great East road

One person has died on the spot while 16 others have sustained multiple injuries when a Lundazi bound Higer Luxuary bus following a rear tire burst along the Great East road in Rufunsa district of Lusaka province.

And Rufunsa District Commissioner Paul Kasongo has bemoaned the continued needless loss of productive lives through reckless driving by motorists.

Meanwhile, Rufunsa District Community Medical Officer Musanda Siyolwe and St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital Administrator Sr. Valeria Kabaso confirmed the accident.

ZANIS reports that the accident happened around 06:00 hours today when the driver yet to be identified lost control of the bus after a rear tire burst.

There were 21 Passengers on the  Lundazi bound Higer Luxury Bus belonging to Sibweni Bbs services registration number ALP 3701 whose driver’s identity was not established by press time.

One of the victims, Lighton Nyirenda who is admitted at St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital attributed the accident to excessive speeding by the driver.

Mr. Nyirenda explained that the youthful driver continued to overspeed despite numerous pleas by passengers to reduce the speed.

“The accident was caused by negligence on the part of the driver who was over speeding despite pleas from passengers to reduce the speed”, he said.

 

Mr. Nyirenda, 52, has since appealed to the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to consider re-training of Public Service Vehicle drivers in order to curb road carnage in the country.

Earlier, Rufunsa District Commissioner Paul Kasongo has bemoaned the continued needless loss of productive lives through reckless driving by motorists.

Mr. Kasongo who had rushed to the accident scene, reiterated his advice to motorists to observe traffic rules.

He said government is worried at the continued loss of productive lives through road traffic accidents.

“My appeal to motorists and other road users is to observe road signs and avoid overspeeding”, he advised.

 

And Rufunsa District Community Medical Officer Musanda Siyolwe and St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital Administrator Sr. Valeria Kabaso confirmed the accident.

Dr. Siyolwe said there were 21 passengers on the Lundazi bound Higer Luxury belonging to Sibweni Bus Services.

She said the hospital received one brought in dead (BID) male adult while 16 were admitted in Casualty Ward with one in a critical condition and referred to the Theater.

“The remaining passengers are still at the scene but stable”, She said.

This is the second fatal accident within a week involving a Public Service Vehicle.

The Manenekela -Nyangwena stretch is notorious for fatal road accidents.