Escom vehicle kills three, two others sustain injuries

Two people have been killed while two others have sustained minor injuries in Balaka district after they were hit by a cruising Electricity Supply Cooperation of Malawi (Escom) vehicle.

According to Balaka Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Joseph Sauka, the accident happened at Chiyendausiku along the Balaka-Liwonde road.

Sauka said the vehicle a Toyota Hillux Double Cabin with Registration Number BLK 3774 driven by Leonard Mukasela was travelling from Balaka heading to Liwonde.

He said the driver failed to control the vehicle and ended up hitting the five pedestrians footing towards the same direction while walking on the right hand side of the road.

Sub-Inspector Sauka said three people died on the spot while the other two together with the driver were rushed to Machinga District Hospital but sustained minor injuries.

He identified the deceased as Benson Bakali aged 14; Chikumbutso Duntu aged 16 and Victor Chisale 45.

They all hail from Kaipakunja Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka District.

Sauka revealed that the driver will appear before court immediately after being discharged from hospital to answer charges of causing death due to reckless driving.

In a related development, one person has been found dead at Liwawadzi area along the same Balaka – Liwonde road in what has been described as a hit and run road accident.

Meanwhile, the deceased has been identified as Dziwa Matenje, from Mtalika village in the area of Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka.