By SYLVIA MWEETWA?-
TWO people have died after a fuel tanker went up in flames following a head-on collision with an alcohol-laden Fuso Fighter truck on the Great North Road in Kabwe.
The accident happened shortly after 18:00 hours on Monday at a bridge near Mulungushi University, causing panic among motorists and residents from the nearby township, some of whom looted alcohol from the Fuso truck, registration number ACM 6092.
Zambia Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said the accident happened after the driver of a Fuso failed to keep to his lane, hence colliding with a foreign-registered tanker which caught fire on impact.
The driver of the foreign-registered tanker with trailer Number WCL 824 GP has been identified as Hilton Mulen, while the driver of the Fuso Fighter has not been identified.
Ms Chanda said initial investigations had revealed that Mulen’s body fell off the truck before it was gutted.
The unidentified driver died at Kabwe General Hospital.
The deceased’s bodies are lying in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary.??The driver of the tanker was trapped underneath the wreckage and he is believed to have died after it went up in flames, sending onlookers scampering, while the huge flames hampered rescue efforts.
The road was blocked for almost three hours from both sides causing heavy traffic but around 21:30 hours, small cars could drive past the accident scene after part of the road was cleared.
Efforts by the Kabwe Fire Brigade to quench the flames failed as the fire engine ran out of water several times and had to go for a refill.
Before the tanker caught fire, some people took advantage and helped themselves to alcohol from the Fuso, as efforts to stop them failed.?Later, more Police officers were deployed to restore order.?Some residents were seen with containers attempting to decant fuel from the tanker but could not get closer after they were warned that they risked getting burnt.
Acting Central Province Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyangwe, who rushed to the scene, expressed sadness over the accident and appealed to motorists to always give each other chance to avoid accidents.
Mr Sinyangwe further said there was need to expand both the road and the bridge which he said was too narrow, especially to accommodate two bigger vehicles.
Central Province Police chief Standwell Lungu said the driver of the Canter was nursing injuries in Kabwe General Hospital, while the remains of the deceased were in the same hospital.
He said traffic Police officers were deployed to control traffic and that bigger vehicles were only allowed to pass after 22:00 hours.