2 killed in Mchinji head-on crash: Driver, female passenger
Two people died in in a fatal two-car accident in Mchinji on Monday.
A Toyota Carina, registration number NN 4810, driven by Gabriel Sitima, 41 was coming from Mchinji/Mwami Zambia border heading to Mchinji Boma and had a female passenger on board.
Upon arrival at Kadula Village, the driver lost control of the vehicle and swerved into the opposite lane and in the process, collided with an oncoming Toyota Cruiser S/W, registration number BR 4980 belonging to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) which was coming from the opposite direction.
It is reported that the female passenger died on the spot and that the driver died whilst receiving treatment at Mchinji District Hospital.
According to Mchinji District Hospital Public Relations Officer (PRO), Owen Chataika, examination of the dead body ofthe first deceased indicated that due to the high impact, she sustained severe head injuries, cervical injuries, chest injuries and that a piece of wind screen glass pierced her throat.
He said the driver died within 40 minutes after arriving at the hospital and that he was about to be referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCN).
“The two sustained very serious injuries like head and chest injuries. The female passenger sustained sub-mandibular joint dislocation, fracture on the right femur and her neck was rotating. The driver had a right fracture femur and had blood in the chest cavity. This was a very terrible accident,” the PRO said.
In reaction to the accident, Mchinji District Hospital Chief Orthopaedic Clinician, Edson Kamba expressed grief that the deceased did not apply the seat belt hence severe injuries.
The deceased are Linda Phiri hailed from Masautso Village in the Area of Traditional Authority (TA) Zulu while the driver, Gabriel Sitimahailed from Magalasi Village in the area of TASimphasi both in Mchinji District.
Nothing can happen to a Land cruiser.
Existence of a Carina in head on collision is negligible. It is like a billy goat in head on fight with a Buffalo or bull.
What happened to the other vehicle (MRA)
This is sad. I hope the MRA vehicle did not block this Carina. I have seen MRA Patrol vehicles being driven in a bizarre manner and the unfortunate thing is all the two people in the carina died otherwise hearing from one side the story can be distorted.