4 people killed in Balaka road accident
Four people have died in a fatal road accident that occurred at Chitale near Crown Feeds in Balaka, police in the district have confirmed.
The accident occurred around 21:00hrs, involving two vehicles, a small saloon vehicle registration number DA 6566 driven by Davie Gontha, whose full particulars were not advised which collided with a Scania bus.
The bus belongs to Ulemu Bus Service registration number BU2072 which was being driven by Alfred Assan, 59, of Chibwana Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka.
Confirming the accident Balaka Police Station Public Relations Officer, Precious Makuta, said the bus was being driven from the direction of Phalula heading towards Chingeni.
According to Makuta, upon arrival at Chitale, the driver wanted to overtake another vehicle that was in front of the bus
“It then happened that while in the course of overtaking the vehicle, another car driven by Gontha, now deceased, was seen coming from the opposite direction with four passengers on board including the driver.
“Due to overspeeding, the driver of the bus who is the suspect in this case and now in police custody at Balaka Police Station, failed to control it,” Makuta said, adding that the bus collided with the oncoming vehicle.
“Following the impact, four people from the saloon died on the spot due to severe head injuries,” added Makuta.
Meanwhile, the bus driver is expected to appear before the court to answer charges of causing death due to reckless driving which is contrary to section 126 of the Road Traffic Act after thorough investigations have been concluded.
Police is therefore calling upon drivers on the road to observe caution to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
In other countries including Tanzania, passenger vehicles, I.e. buses are not allowed to ply the roads during the night. If my memory treats me fairly not beyond 9 pm.
Let them rest in peace, its very sad these bus drivers they cruise as if its a saloon forgetting that that have carried passengers,
please remember your duty.
Bus drivers on LL-Bt road are very careless especially at night. They move right on the white line in fatal speed.
Agreed. However, its high time we had a duo carriage for such a major road. It’s so necessary ndithu
Ma Bus makamaka ausiku amamaliza yonse mileage. Apolice amangowasiya, ndikuwona ngati a road traffic directorate apange njira yabwino yopangira control ma speed especially ama Bus.
Bus drivers think that they are masters of the road.They don’t respect others on the road.They don’t even respect the advice of others.Look at Axa drivers,they are the worst on our roads.Lets protect lives.