By Masauso Mkwayaya
Eight people have died and one person has been seriously injured in a road traffic accident that occurred in the early hours of today on the Great North Road in Chibombo District.
Police Spokesperson GODFREY CHILABI says the accident happened at around 03:00 hours, opposite the China Jiangxi Economic Zone.
The accident involved two motor vehicles: a Nissan Caravan minibus carrying six passengers and travelling towards Lusaka, and a Hino Ranger carrying one male passenger and travelling in the opposite direction.
Mr. CHILABI says the drivers of both vehicles have not yet been identified.
He says preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred when the driver of the Nissan Caravan attempted an improper overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in a head-on collision with the Hino Ranger.
Mr. CHILABI says the impact claimed the lives of all six passengers and the driver of the Nissan Caravan instantly.
The driver of the Hino Ranger also died on the spot, while the male passenger from the Hino Ranger sustained serious injuries and was taken to Liteta Hospital for treatment.
He says the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the Liteta District Hospital mortuary, awaiting identification and post-mortem examinations.
Mr. CHILABI says a team of investigators from the Zambia Police Service Traffic Section is currently on the scene conducting further inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by Mr. CHILABI.
