10-year-old girl dies in Mambwe road accident

A 10-year-old girl has died after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the Chipata-Mfuwe Road in Mambwe District, Eastern Province yesterday. Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the fatal accident, which occurred on Wednesday at about 16:46 hours at Chiwawatala Village in Chief Kakumbi’s area. Mr Mweemba said the accident involved a Toyota Sienta, registration number ARD 999, driven by 42-year-old Dingilizwe Daka of the Showgrounds area near David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata District.

Mr Mweemba explained that the driver was travelling from east to west when he struck a pedestrian identified as Stellia Mwale, 10, of Chakachino Village in Chief Kakumbi’s chiefdom. “The juvenile sustained a bruised forehead, bruises on both legs and suspected internal injuries. She was rushed to Kakumbi Rural Health Centre, where she was pronounced dead on arrival,” Mr Mweemba said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident occurred when the child attempted to cross the road from the northern side to the southern side and was hit by the oncoming vehicle in the middle of the road. The driver escaped unhurt, while the vehicle sustained damage to its right front section. Mr Mweemba said the body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary at Mambwe District Hospital awaiting burial. He has since urged both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution on the roads to help prevent accidents and save lives.