Petauke accident claims 8 lives

By NOEL IYOMBWAEight people have died while seven others sustained serious injuries in a Road Traffic Accident in Petauke in Eastern province.Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said the incident occurred on Friday night, September 25, 2020 at around 21:30 hours near Musambazi Bridge, 25km west of Petauke Boma along Great East Road in Petauke District.She said the accident involved a motor vehicle Volvo truck registration number ABV 7932 and ADC 30T being driven by Trust Mawele, of unknown age and abode who was moving in the west to east direction while carrying unknown number of passengers.She explained that also involved was a motor vehicle Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter registration number BAP 7832 being driven by unknown male adult who was driving in the east to west direction while carrying unknown number of passengers.“The accident happened when the driver of motor vehicle Volvo truck failed to keep to his lane and went to the right lane and collided with an on coming motor vehicle Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter and both careered off the road to the left side.“After the accident, seven unknown persons sustained serious injuries and are admitted to Petauke District Hospital and Minga Mission Hospital respectively while Eight (08) unknown persons died on the spot, among them, Six (06) males and two females,” she said.Ms Katongo said the eight bodies are in Petauke District Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem.She further stated that it has not yet been established whether the drivers of both motor vehicles are among the victims.