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Survivors In The ‘Ndola-Lusaka’ Tragedy Tell Their Story
At-least 53 people were killed after a truck laden with mealie-meal crashed into a Lusaka-bound Post Bus yesterday in one of the most horrific accidents on the highway.
The 72-seater bus, registration number ABV 4020 from Ndola, crashed at 07:30 hours, claiming 53 lives and leaving several injured.
At least 14 injured passengers were rushed to medical centres. Among the dead is Zambia Daily Mail acting production manager Charles Kauseni’s older brother, Henry.
Mr Kauseni said his 58-year-old brother, a father of six, was travelling from Ndola to Lusaka for some family issues when he met his fate.
Liteta medical superintendent Chisha Kalonde said out of the 14 survivors, six have been referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, seven to Kabwe General Hospital and one to Ndola Central Hospital.
The survivors were dumbfounded by shock.
Cheelo Hamweete, a 39 year-old survivor, said: “I can’t remember exactly what happened…. all I know is that I was with my brother-in-law and I don’t even know where he is.”
Mr Hamweete said he was travelling on the Post Bus from Mpongwe to Lusaka.
Another survivor, 22-year-old Mcferrin Bwalya, said he was in the company of his uncle and cousin Gill, a grade 11 pupil.
“We were on our way from Mufulira …. That’s all I can remember. I don’t know where my uncle and cousin are,” he said.
Mr Bwalya complained of pain on his right hand and appealed to medical personnel to help him get better.
“I am a driver and my hand is my life. If I can’t use it anymore, I will be useless,” he said as he winced in pain.
Security personnel had a tough time trying to prevent villagers from looting mealie-meal on the truck and other goods on the bus.
The accident involved a Congolese-registered truck registration number 1792 AB05. The truck belongs to Hermis Transport.
Ms Kanjela said the bodies, including those of both drivers, are lying in the Liteta Mission Hospital and Kabwe General Hospital mortuaries. By afternoon, some bodies had been taken to UTH mortuary.
“The accident happened when a Toyota Land Cruiser overtook a convoy of vehicles and the oncoming truck tried to avoid it. In the process, the truck collided with the Lusaka-bound bus.
“So far, I can confirm that 53 people from the bus and the truck are dead,” Ms Kanjela said.
Eye witness Lighton Malichanga said the driver of the Land Cruiser was apprehended and whisked away from the scene for his own safety.
It is believed that the driver was rushing to feed his pigs at a nearby farm.
And Colonel Kaunda, who described the accident as a national tragedy, said the carnage is an eye-opener to Government to prepare for calamities.
“What we have found here shows that we are ill-equipped to handle emergencies. We have been here for four to five hours and nothing has happened,” he said in reference to clearing the accident scene.
He said it is unfortunate that the accident has happened at a time when Government agencies have intensified sensitisation on road safety.
Col Kaunda said it is sad that some drivers can be so careless to cause such a horrendous accident which has claimed many lives at a go.
The truck was broken into bits and pieces while the 72-seater bus was extensively mangled.
And hundreds of vehicles travelling to and from Lusaka were marooned at the accident scene as the wreckages blocked the highway.
Earlier, police and Zambia Army officers rushed to the scene to provide security as locals attempted to loot bags of mealie-meal and other valuables from the dead.
Zambia Army officers from Kabwe finally managed to remove the wreckage from the scene.
And KATEBE CHENGO reports that ZAMPOST has expressed sadness at the loss of the 53 passengers.
Post Master General McPherson Chanda has also appealed to members of the public in Ndola whose relatives travelled on the morning bus yesterday to verify the status of their relatives.
“We have had people coming through to check in our data base for names of their relatives and I would like to appeal to more people to come forth.
“ZAMPOST wishes to assure all the bereaved families and injured that we stand with them in this period of sorrow and we regret the accident,” he said.
Posted by Admin
on February 8, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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POPO
February 8, 2013 at 11:27 am
may their souls rest in peace
ricky
February 8, 2013 at 11:27 am
it is sad that we can lose such a number of people at once, may there sauls rest in internal peace
Cumbu Munshololwa SC
February 8, 2013 at 11:33 am
“It is believed that the driver was rushing to feed his pigs at a nearby farm”
Lord Help us. MTSRIIP
Umuntunse
February 8, 2013 at 11:35 am
Looting katundu of the dead? When sorrow thus abounds? What a disgrace.
Umuntunse
February 8, 2013 at 11:37 am
Just rushing to feed his swines?? What a swine he is. May God comfort them that mourn.
VEN
February 8, 2013 at 11:59 am
“INDEED”
Chibote
February 8, 2013 at 11:43 am
So sad. We pray to our God to heal those injured and to strengthen those that have lost their loved ones.
Amuchi
February 8, 2013 at 11:44 am
Am dismayed by this looting.honestly with such a horrific accident some people still find courage to loot the goods?I cant understant may God help them germinate a spirit of shame and emphathy.
Mulenga Felix
February 8, 2013 at 11:45 am
What happened is on that day is surely a national dissaster and to those that have lost their loved ones, I say to you that we the Zambian people are with you in spirit. MTSRIP
Fault Finder
February 8, 2013 at 11:47 am
It’s good the drver of the Land Cruiser survived. No punshment can surpass the trauma of causing the death of so many people at one go. He will suffer emotional pain and regret for the rest of his life.
Umupandapwiti
February 8, 2013 at 2:17 pm
I partly(if not fully) blame the truck driver. He should have made a split-second decision to just drive straight and collide with the Land Cruiser head on, at-least that number of people who were on the bus would have been saved. Anyway, MTSRIP.
MWALE ENOS
February 8, 2013 at 3:03 pm
He should have made a split second decision and go into the bush than colliding with anyone. MTSRIEP
prince
February 8, 2013 at 11:52 am
M . T . S . R . I . P
chicco
February 8, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Its really sad 4 pipo dat hav lost there beloved ones in da tragedy en I pray dat God heal those injured en 4 da mourners give them strength.
Gerald Daka
February 8, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Accidents happen but this is too much, Wrecklessness on the part of the driver who was overtaking has caused all this sorrow – May King Jesus Christ have mercy on us all and the Holy ghost strengthen and comfort the mourning and bereaved families – amen.
Menes
February 8, 2013 at 12:39 pm
It is a national tragedy of enormous grief and pain. May their innocent souls rest in eternal peace. I pray that the Lord God almighty strengthens all the bereaved families and guides them through this trying moment. Let us not blame anyone here. I wish to propose that the government and other relevant authorities help open a charitable account where proceeds will go towards alleviating and lessening the burden that has befallen the victims’ families. Remember that we have lost bread winners, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunties, friends……..just in flash of a second!!
weba
February 8, 2013 at 1:55 pm
you are right the world needs people like you
think
February 8, 2013 at 12:44 pm
“Security personnel had a tough time trying to prevent villagers from looting mealie-meal on the truck and other goods on the bus” so typical! I heard that once someone had really bad accident, instead of helpin him the villagers were busy lootin him n left the guy to die, we are so QUICK to point fingers at others n where as in Zambia we got soo mnay of our own problems, from racism to robbery to rape and what not, zambia will never develope, yesterday before the story was out, people jumping to colnclusions n started blamin the truck driver,typical zambian attitude,
Cha Cha Cha
February 8, 2013 at 12:48 pm
What a tragedy! May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.
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the eye
February 8, 2013 at 1:36 pm
what is the name of the landcruiser driver chikala chakwe he must be given death sentence by hanging until pronounced dead in addition after he dies he must be burnt and his ashes thrown in victoria falls as evidence that he shall never live
jonathanchitedze
February 8, 2013 at 1:39 pm
This is really a tragedy to our fellow zambians.May the souls of all affected people REST IN PEACE
Bongie
February 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm
This is really sad. We are all affected. The Government should do something to these “narrow” roads as I may put it. This is not the time for promises but action. The issue of dual carriage way is long overdue. May the Souls of our beloved friends, fathers, mothers, brothers & sisters. God have mercy on us.
THE BUSINESS MAN
February 8, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Survivors you are very lucky
Charle chileshe
February 8, 2013 at 2:16 pm
ZAmbians , lets ask GRZ to build a dual carriage way.This is not just the first but if you saw the way big buses that go to CB do drive ,you would really ask for a dual carriage way like yestaday.It is a month of prayer, we have started sacrificing, wait and see, normally during this month every year, so let stand in prayer and also ask Mr SATA to forgive every one and create a truth commission or an amnesty to forgive and ask any one who has taken anything of which was not theirs to return it and move forward as people in GOD’s hands.The route we are taking of persecution will never heal this country.Zambia is under threat, Mr sata listen to your silent voice not the one that tells you ‘what will that and that will say or think.NO, you have people’s life in your hands.You can kill every one if you want.
charles
Ngonya
February 8, 2013 at 2:18 pm
It’s sad indeed. MTSRIP. The main highway roads needs to be dual carriage way. Just imagine if it was a dual carriage, none of this would have happened because there would have been room for overtaking others cars. As long as our roads are not worked on, this carnage will never end. Great North road is one road that can be expended since it has more room for expansion. Please may the current Government do something about the roads to avoid such accidents.
Wise One
February 8, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Let not those corrupt police officers release that idiot who caused that accident.A man driving a landcruzer be released so soon because he has money for owing pigs hence caused death by dangerous drivin and makin innocent pepo suffer.We must watch him be burned to death on national TV.
Chisha!!!
February 8, 2013 at 2:27 pm
May their souls rest in perfect peace till we meet again at Jesus’ feet!
bwalya lunkoto
February 8, 2013 at 2:45 pm
God help the families of the deceased. The number is just too much.
chisha Mulenga
February 8, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Tuleufwako nensoni umuntu munobe ufwila alyapa naiwe ulesenda ifintu fyakwe. bushe tulela kwi ngachali nipali ewee kuti waufwa shani may their soul rest in enternal peace
Jack Mazimba
February 8, 2013 at 2:53 pm
May the almighty God help the family of the deceased and pray that the survivors may get healed fast. MTSRIP
Analyser
February 8, 2013 at 3:04 pm
where is the president kanshi. to him swearing in those relatives of his into diplomatic postings was very important that mourning.Too bad ba kateka
Villager
February 8, 2013 at 3:24 pm
How I wish the truck driver killed that guy in a landcruiser and spare these innocent precious lives that we have losst. Am just thinking loud, sad to the families of the deceased and the injured. Am short of words
Muntu Na Muntu
February 8, 2013 at 3:27 pm
The state and the police should take very stern measures over those who loot from accident victims.
m j
February 8, 2013 at 3:42 pm
its a high time roads are widened our politicians travel a lot they cant copy for bigger roads
muzopark
February 8, 2013 at 3:52 pm
what has happend has happend it is really sad bt let us nt bleme the cruiser driver it wont bring those precious lives back. May God be with the bereaved families in this trying moment and may he also watch over the cruiser driver. Our drivers please owez remember to b careful on the road.
qweny
February 8, 2013 at 4:14 pm
My head aches when I go through the comments, this reminds me of 93 national soccer team, Short of words to add on this everlasting unbelieable story, dark cloud hanging over our roof zambia, rest in peace loved ones, in spirit we will bury morn and bury you.
Chisha!!!!
February 8, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Now I can see intensified traffic patrol two months from now they’ll all get back to their mode of luxury, let people pay for their own mistakes not innocent lives perishing for some silly driver’s mistake! Its so unfair! Consider making this Road a Dual carriage!!!
eric
February 8, 2013 at 4:45 pm
tumfweko be specific no one looted the mealie meal as i was among the people oon the scene the army arrived 3 hours late and zambians are not that stupid nonone tried to loot anything mr panjishould train his people on first aid box kit none of the ratsa officers showed up with any kit and elizabeth kanjela should act proffesional and not ask gumbotts from junior officers when rushing to reprt lies on the scene shamefull authorites
malambo malama
February 8, 2013 at 4:53 pm
For those of you who have not lost a relative or friend in this tragdy and are unsympathic get off this blog and save your ridiculous comments for yourselves. Am a Ndola resident and so for I have lost 4 people in this tragdy, please leave us to morn our loved ones
patrick chileshe
February 8, 2013 at 5:00 pm
HAD I BEEN THE TRUCK DRIVER I WOULD HAVE LET THE SWINE FEEDER TO DRIVE HIMSELF TO DEATH UNDER MY TRUCK THAN TO HEAD FOR THE BUS. THE TRUCK DRIVER MADE A WRONG DECISION (MAY HIS SOUL AND THE SUOLS OF THE OTHER PEOPLE REST IN ETERNAL PEACE. DAMN THE SWINE FEEDER.
eric
February 8, 2013 at 5:06 pm
indeed my thier souls rest in peace
mourner
February 8, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Bwana president should have suspended whatever business he is upto and focus his attention to this natioanl tragedy.Advice to Sata,please set up a commission of inquiry to investigate this serious and urgent matter,We need to get down to the bottom of this.To me this is a result of a catalogy of failures to put safety a priority on our roads.We need make several changes on the way we drive in our country.No speed controls on a 60 mile road.Mentality and atitude of drivers on the road pathetic.Most vehicles not road worthy but on the and carrying people,it is embarrassing.
Big Daddy
February 8, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Young people should be stopped from taking heavy responsibility of driving such big numbers of pipo. In football what’s the age of most Coaches? What’s the age of Alex Fergusson at Man U? What’s the age of most Presidents around the world? Why do we have old pipo in these positions. Judge for yourself. May the Lord our God give the families of the dead strength and courage to go through this tring time.
mourner
February 8, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Sata if you dont declare a national mourning,then what tragetdy are you going to declare.You were suppose to actually visit the site within hours of the accident.This is a national tragedy.Everybody is sad and weakened by this.
TELGGB
February 8, 2013 at 5:17 pm
The truck driver is a white farmer. As usual whites drive with alot of pride thinking they have the best cars and are better drivers. I have driven for many years and I have seen how some whites drive with their Landlover. Shame
mkonzi
February 8, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Such magnitude of a tragidy calls for a day of national mourning, not only when a politician dies. Some of them die due to their own recklessness.
popopo
February 8, 2013 at 6:07 pm
naumfwa amafi. Satana HE is the causer
brozber
February 8, 2013 at 7:08 pm
i feel like cryin
sorrow
February 8, 2013 at 7:14 pm
I feel your pain and frastrution,I was also in a similar situation last year were I lost my whole family in an accident.it has been easy for me butGod has been my comfort.its accident and we can’t reverse what happed.let’s forgive the driver of the landcruiser and that’s what christianity entails.rip
Spider Machisa-Mansa
February 8, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Its indeed a sad loss to our nation. May God heal their families
vubwi
February 8, 2013 at 8:40 pm
that stupid white man or black should be charged…with reckless driving and murder for us to learn to keep the rules of the road. may the souls of the departed rest in peace.
mwaba lovemore
February 8, 2013 at 11:13 pm
May their soul rest in peace!!!! My condolences to the families of the deceased………..
Only Almight
February 9, 2013 at 2:35 am
May souls rest in perfect peace
King Julien
February 9, 2013 at 10:33 am
When is government going to start construction of the Lusaka- Ndola dual Carriage way? We have heard so much talk about this and it is now time for action if we are to avoid further accidents.
zamina nima
February 9, 2013 at 1:18 pm
“It is believed that the driver was rushing to feed his pigs at a nearby farm.”
REALLY…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mulokoto
February 9, 2013 at 7:09 pm
m.t.s.r.i.p
chongo Musonda
February 9, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Beloved when we see these things happening just know the lord is near it’s not easy.The man in the landcruiser needs counseling because he will be traumatized forever
Lubra
February 9, 2013 at 7:39 pm
I really feel like crying…Let us drive whites out of our country and see how proud they be in their God forsaken shit hole countries…RIP
chiingu
February 10, 2013 at 6:45 am
MTSRIP