Speeding lorry kills 25 year-old man with disability in Mangochi
A speeding lorry ran over a 25 year-old man with disability to death on Friday afternoon at Mangochi Traffic Lights junction along the Mangochi – Liwonde Road, police have confirmed.
Eyewitnesses said before the accident, Saladi Kambulire, the deceased, was cycling on his tricycle from the direction of M’baluku and he had just joined the Mangochi –Monkey Bay Road heading towards Liwonde when a speeding lorry coming from Monkey Bay direction hit him.
“It was an avoidable accident because despite the traffic lights not functioning, it is an intersection where M’baluku – Chilipa Road crosses with the Liwonde – Monkey Bay Road and by any means, motorists and other road users ought to slow down when approaching it,” a bicycle taxi operator who saw the accident happen reasoned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the eyewitness said the lorry hit Kambulire from behind, adding that he suffered severe injuries and his hand-ridden tricycle was also badly damaged.
Confirming the accident, Mangochi Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Amina Tepani-Daudi, identified the lorry’s driver as Precious Mamba, 27, from Mkanthama Village, Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa district.
Daudi corroborated the eyewitness’ account saying Mamba was indeed driving a Toyota Hino truck registration number DA 9491 from Monkey Bay direction heading towards Liwonde when the accident occurred.
“Kambulire sustained severe head injuries and he died on the spot while his tricycle was extensively damaged,” said Daudi adding that the lorry had no any damage.
Kambulire was a well known man around Mangochi Boma due to his comedies and skills on the guitar, which he used to display at M’baluku Market where he was coming from when he met his fate.
Daudi said this road accident is the first to be recorded at Mangochi Police Station during this year’s festive season.
Meanwhile, the police in the district have appealed to all road users to follow road traffic rules and regulations every time they are on the road to avoid accidents and loss of lives.
