47 injured in Rufunsa road accident

At least 47 people were injured, eight of them seriously, when a JCB Scania bus overturned after colliding with a Toyota Regius along the Great East Road in Rufunsa District on Friday night.

The accident occurred around 22:00 hours in Chipako area, about 150 kilometres east of Lusaka, according to Police Assistant Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha.

Kaitisha confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, identifying the bus driver as 53-year-old Beaton Musenda of Kabangwe in Lusaka, who was reportedly speeding at the time of the crash.

Among the eight passengers who sustained serious injuries were a five-year-old child from Luangwa, Mozambican national Salava Augusto (29), and several others from Lusaka, Nyimba, and Mpika who suffered head injuries, fractures, and deep cuts.

“All the critically injured have been admitted to Mumpanshya Mission Hospital, while 38 other passengers with minor injuries were treated and discharged,” Kaitisha said.

She added that the bus driver complained of chest pains and remained under medical observation. Both vehicles were extensively damaged in the accident.

Police have since impounded the Scania bus for Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) re-examination, and the driver will be charged with dangerous driving once discharged from hospital.

“The Zambia Police has since appealed to families of the injured to visit Mumpanshya Mission Hospital to check on their relatives and provide support,” Kaitisha added.

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